m t d p m -b vans llc (“mbv”) - daimler ag
TRANSCRIPT
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MASTER TERMS DIRECT PURCHASING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTIONS
INTRODUCTION
SECTION 1: DEFINITIONS
SECTION 2: CONTRACT DOCUMENTS
SECTION 3: REQUIREMENTS AND EXCLUSIVITY
SECTION 4: PRODUCTION BY SUPPLIER
SECTION 5: PAYMENT FOR NULL SERIES (B-PHASE)
SECTION 6: MBV OWNED EQUIPMENT
SECTION 7: TRADE, LABELING REQUIREMENTS AND CUSTOMS
SECTION 8: SUPPLIER'S SELLING PRICES
SECTION 9: PRICE ADJUSTMENTS
SECTION 10: PURCHASE ORDERS AND INVOICING
SECTION 11: LIENS
SECTION 12: SHIPMENT, PACKING, AND MARKING
SECTION 13: INSPECTION AND REJECTION
SECTION 14: FORCE MAJEURE EVENT
SECTION 15: MBV INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY/WORK PRODUCT/LICENSING
SECTION 16: WARRANTIES
SECTION 17: PRODUCT LIABILITY
SECTION 18: SERVICE PARTS
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SECTION 19: RECALL CAMPAIGN
SECTION 20: STATUS AND FINANCIAL REPORTING BY SUPPLIER/BANKRUPTCY
SECTION 21: TERM OF AGREEMENT
SECTION 22: REMEDIES/TERMINATION
SECTION 23: POSSESSION OF MBV OWNED EQUIPMENT
SECTION 24: INDEMNITY
SECTION 25: CONFIDENTIALITY
SECTION 26: TAXES
SECTION 27: NOTICES
SECTION 28: RELATIONSHIP
SECTION 29: GRATUITIES
SECTION 30: ENFORCEMENT AND SEVERABILITY
SECTION 31: CHOICE OF LAW, JURISDICTION, AND COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS
SECTION 32: IMMIGRATION
SECTION 33: ADVERTISING
SECTION 34: ASSIGNMENT
SECTION 35: DIVERSITY
SECTION 36: POLLUTION AND WASTE
SECTION 37: CAPTIONS
SECTION 38: ACKNOWLEDGMENT
SECTION 39: INTEGRATION CLAUSE
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AGREEMENT
These Master Terms Direct Purchasing for the supply of automotive systems,
components, and/or parts ("Master Terms") by and between Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC,
("MBV"), a Delaware limited liability company and affiliate of Daimler AG, Stuttgart, Germany
("DAG"), having its principal office and place of business at 8501 Palmetto Commerce Parkway,
Ladson, South Carolina, 29456, and the Supplier: .
In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties agree to the
following contractual terms:
SECTION 1: Definitions
1.1 As used herein and elsewhere in the Contract Documents, unless expressly provided
otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings given below:
(a) "Affiliated Persons”: means Supplier's officers, directors, employees, or agents, or
any of its stockholders, principals or MBVs acting on its behalf or in its interests.
(b) “Agreement”: The entire agreement between MBV and the Supplier represented
by the Contract Documents, which may be modified, amended, supplemented or restated
from time to time.
(c) “Amortized Supplier Equipment”: Any machinery, equipment, materials, molds,
gauges, fixtures, patterns, dies, jigs, specifications, models, tools, tooling, handling
systems, and aids or other equipment developed or used for the manufacturing of any
Products, owned by Supplier, identified by MBV, and the cost of which is amortized as
part of the part price.
(d) “Applicable Laws”: means the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and German
anti-corruption laws, without regard to their jurisdictional limitations, U.S. and German
export control laws to the extent applicable the goods and or information which are
subject of this Agreement, and all other laws, regulations, rules, orders, decrees or other
directives carrying the force of law applicable to any activities engaged in by Supplier or
any of its Affiliated Persons in connection with this Agreement, in each case as the same
may be amended from time to time.
(e) “Bailment Agreement”: Shall mean the agreement for Supplier to accept
possession of the MBV Owned Equipment on the terms and conditions of Section 6.3
below.
(f) “Bailment Term”: The term in which the provisions of Section 6.3 apply to the
MBV Owned Equipment and MBV Intellectual Property, as applicable, which becomes
effective as set forth in Section 6.3(a) and which terminates upon the expiration or earlier
termination of the Agreement, unless otherwise set forth in Section 6.3 with respect to a
particular item of MBV Owned Equipment.
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(g) "Chain of Supply List": A list maintained by Supplier pursuant to Section 4.8
hereof that indicates the name and address of all Lower Tier suppliers (including, without
limitation, Directed Lower Tier suppliers) that supply goods and services to Supplier or
another Lower Tier in connection with Supplier's obligations under the Agreement.
(h) “Contract Documents”: The written documents which govern the contractual
relationship between MBV and Supplier and its affiliated parties, which include (a) the
current version of the Master Terms Direct Purchasing (this document); (b) all referenced
attachments to Master Terms Direct Purchasing (if applicable) including, without
limitation, the current version of MBV’s Quality Manual; (c) the Source Package; (d) the
Purchase Order(s) issued during the term of this Agreement; and (e) the Development
Agreement (if any), each of which shall be considered an integral part of any Purchase
Order issued by MBV. In case of inconsistencies, the Contract Documents shall prevail
over each other in the priority listed in the preceding sentence of this paragraph, unless
otherwise specified herein.
(i) “Cost Breakdowns”: The breakdown of the costs of the Services that is
submitted by Supplier in its quote to Daimler in accordance with the Source Package.
(j) “DAG”: Daimler AG, having its principal office and place of business in
Stuttgart, Germany, and the ultimate corporate parent of MBV.
(k) “Daimler”: DAG, including any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
(l) “Daimler Specifications”: The technical specifications and requirements set forth
in the Source Package, as amended, modified, or updated from time to time by Daimler.
(m) “Daimler Vans Manufacturing”: Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC
(n) “Developer”: means the person or entity, which may also be one in the same as
Supplier or an affiliate of Supplier, engaged by Daimler initially to develop the Product
to a specified quality gate under the Development Agreement and/or Source Package.
(o) “Development Agreement”: The agreement executed by the Developer and
Daimler regarding the development of the Product, which may be assigned to Supplier
(or an affiliate of Supplier) by Daimler to provide for the completion of development of
the Product to production readiness.
(p) "Directed Lower Tier": A Lower Tier supplier with whom MBV has directed that
Supplier engage for a portion of the supply of Product and Services as set forth herein.
(q) “MBV”: Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC
(r) “MBV Intellectual Property”: Rights to inventions, ideas, improvements, or
discoveries, processes, composition of materials, designs, specifications, software, mask
works, or other technical information involving the Services, Product and/or Service
Parts, MBV Owned Equipment, including, without limitation, all rights to patents,
trademarks, copyrights, or legally protected trade secrets pertaining thereto and renewals
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thereof, whether or not incorporated into the Product, Service Parts and/or MBV Owned
Equipment, but excluding Supplier Intellectual Property.
(s) “MBV Owned Equipment”: Any molds, machinery, equipment, materials,
gauges, fixtures, patterns, dies, jigs, specifications, models, tools, tooling, handling
systems, and aids or other equipment developed or used for the manufacturing of any
Products and/or Service Parts that have been or are to be fully paid for by MBV,
including, without limitation, the equipment specified in the Equipment Database.
(t) “MBV Owned Equipment Approval Date”: The date on which MBV in its sole
discretion accepts the applicable MBV Owned Equipment through its pre-production
approval process (PPAP) (PPAP Green / Green) and such MBV Owned Equipment has
received final off-tool sample approval by MBV in its sole discretion.
(u) “MBV Owned Equipment Title Transfer Date”: The date on which both of the
following have occurred: (1) the applicable MBV Owned Equipment has completed
PPAP yellow/yellow, and (2) MBV has made sixty percent (60%) payment for such
MBV Owned Equipment in accordance with Section 6 herein.
(v) “EDI”: The electronic data interchange system described in Section 12 hereof.
(w) “Equipment Database”: The electronic database maintained by MBV containing
a list of certain inventory and equipment to be purchased by Supplier in the course of
Supplier’s performance of the Services under the Agreement, as the same may be
amended, modified and updated from time to time.
(x) “F.O.B.”: Free on board as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code, as enacted
in the State of South Carolina, as further set forth in Section 12.3(a) hereof.
(y) “Force Majeure Event”: Any default or delay of performance under the
Agreement which is (a) beyond the control of Supplier, and (b) not occasioned by the
fault or negligence of Supplier, and (c) which results from wars or other acts of a public
enemy, restrictions, prohibitions, priorities, or allocations imposed by any governmental
authority (other than an order of court relating to, or based upon, insolvency
proceedings), freight embargoes, fires, floods, tornados, or other unusually severe
weather, earthquakes, epidemics, acts of God, or other natural or governmental causes,
which shall not, however, include (x) non-performance by any Lower Tier suppliers,
including without limitation, a Directed Lower Tier, Supplier’s sub-suppliers or affiliates
for reasons other than a Force Majeure Event applying to such Lower Tier suppliers, sub-
suppliers or affiliates, and which also shall not include (y) any strike, lockout, shortage of
labor, lack of or inability to obtain raw materials, fuel or supplies (unless caused solely
by governmental restriction), or (z) any other labor or industrial disturbance; and further
provided that delays caused by or associated with computer programs or computer related
dates do not constitute a cause beyond the control or without the fault or negligence of
Supplier.
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(z) “Government Entity”: means a government or any department, agency or
instrumentality thereof (including any company or other entity controlled by a
government), a political party or a public international organization.
(aa) “Government Official”: means any officeholder, employee or other official
(including any immediate family member thereof) of a Government Entity, any person
acting in an official capacity for a Government Entity or any candidate for political
office.
(bb) “Higher Tier”: A supplier of MBV supplying parts for the Vehicle with which
MBV has entered or intends to enter into a written supply agreement similar to the
Agreement, to the extent such supplier receives other parts intended for the Vehicle from
one or more other supplier(s).
(cc) “Lower Tier”: A supplier supplying parts or services for the Vehicle, to the extent
such supplier supplies parts intended for the Vehicle to one or more other supplier(s),
whether another Lower Tier supplier or a Higher Tier supplier.
(dd) "Lower Tier Acknowledgment and Waiver:" An acknowledgment and waiver that
shall be executed by all Lower Tier suppliers of Supplier (including, without limitation,
Directed Lower Tiers) in accordance with the terms of Section 38 herein, and pursuant to
which each Lower Tier acknowledges certain rights of MBV under the Agreement.
(ee) “Marked Part”: A part which bears a Daimler trademark or an identifying mark
specified by Daimler, or a part peculiar to the Daimler design.
(ff) “MBUSA”: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
(gg) “Model Year”: The annual vehicle production period for MBV, which
commences approximately on August 1 of the calendar year preceding the Model Year
designation.
(hh) “NAFTA”: The North American Free Trade Agreement.
(ii) “Parties”: MBV and Supplier, collectively.
(jj) “Party”: MBV and Supplier, individually.
(kk) “Product”: The product(s) to be supplied by Supplier to MBV or a Higher Tier in
accordance with the Agreement, as described by the Specifications and the Scope of
Work, as may be amended from time to time by mutual agreement reduced to writing or
in accordance with the Source Package.
(ll) "Project": The successful development of the Vehicle by Daimler and successful
implementation by MBV.
(mm) “Proprietary Information”: Any and all technical information, ideas,
specifications, drawings, designs, manufacturing data, records, computer programs, and
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program documentation (including without limitation any patented or unpatented
knowledge or information concerning either Party’s products, production, or other
methods, processes, scheduling, sources of supply, customers, marketing or otherwise)
disclosed by one Party to the other Party to the Agreement, pursuant to or in connection
with the Project.
(nn) “Purchase Order”: An order for the supply of specific Product, Service Parts,
MBV Owned Equipment or other goods or services issued by MBV to Supplier pursuant
to the Agreement, which may be in printed form mailed to Supplier, or, at the discretion
of MBV, by telecopier, or by means of the MBV electronic data interchange system.
(oo) “Recall Campaign”: A systematic effort by Daimler to locate certain Product
and/or Service Parts installed in vehicles and believed by Daimler possibly to be in
breach of Supplier’s warranty, or not to comply with laws, regulations, orders, or other
governmental requirements, in order to replace, correct, or check such Product and/or
Service Parts.
(pp) "Scope of Work": The general description of Services to be provided by Supplier
pursuant to the Agreement and the Contract Documents, which is attached to the
Development Agreement and/or the Purchase Order.
(qq) "Services": shall collectively refer to all products supplied and/or services
rendered by Supplier (including the supply of the Products, Service Parts and acquisition
of MBV Owned Equipment) pursuant to the Agreement.
(rr) “Service Parts”: Replacement parts for the Product, or any part thereof, which are
used by Daimler or its distributors in connection with maintenance or servicing of the
Vehicle.
(ss) “Source Package”: Commercial Requirements/Source Package and request for
quote delivered to Supplier by Daimler.
(tt) “Specifications”: Collectively, the Daimler Specifications and the Supplier
Specifications, as may be amended from time to time by mutual agreement reduced to
writing or in accordance with the Source Package.
(uu) “Subcontractor”: means any properly qualified individual, firm, association, or
corporation undertaking the performance of any part of the Services under the terms of
the Contract Documents by virtue of an agreement between itself and the Supplier with
the written approval of MBV.
(vv) “Supplier”: The legal entity which has agreed to supply the Product to MBV in
accordance with the Contract Documents or the legal entity which has agreed to supply
products and services to a Higher Tier and who has agreed, by way of acceptance of a
Purchase Order, or otherwise, to be bound by the Contract Documents.
(ww) “Supplier Intellectual Property”: Rights to inventions, ideas, improvements, or
discoveries, processes, composition of materials, designs, specifications, software, mask
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works, or other technical information, including, without limitation, all rights to patents,
trademarks, copyrights, or legally protected trade secrets and renewals thereof, to the
extent that such were in Supplier’s possession prior to any discussions with or Supplier’s
receipt of any materials from Daimler, as evidenced by Supplier’s written documentation.
(xx) "Supplier MBV Equipment": Any machinery, equipment, materials, molds,
gauges, fixtures, patterns, dies, jigs, specifications, models, tools, tooling, handling
systems, and aids or other equipment developed or used for the manufacturing of any
Products, other than Amortized Supplier Equipment and MBV Owned Equipment, owned
by Supplier and identified by MBV.
(yy) “Supplier Specifications”: Drawings, technical specifications and/or engineering
plans developed and submitted by Supplier to Daimler or a Higher Tier in accordance
with Source Package.
(zz) “System”: The design and manufacturing of all Vehicle parts which a Higher
Tier supplies to MBV and/or another Higher Tier.
(aaa) “Vehicle”: The vehicle or vehicles for which MBV uses the Supplier as the source
of the Product and/or Service Parts pursuant to the Agreement.
SECTION 2: Contract Documents
2.1 The contractual relationship between MBV and Supplier shall be governed by the
Agreement and in case of inconsistencies, the Contract Documents shall prevail over each other
in the priority listed in Section 1.1(h) above. The Contract Documents are, by this reference,
incorporated into and made a part of the Agreement.
2.2 The Contract Documents are in English and/or German. In the event a document exists
in both languages, the version which was first made shall be binding, unless the Parties later
designate a version in the other language as the "Original." Consistent with the designation by
Daimler of English as its official language, the Parties shall use their best efforts to use English
in their documentation wherever possible and appropriate, provided that this shall not
compromise the accuracy of the communications between the Parties.
2.3 The terms and conditions of these Master Terms Direct Purchasing and the Contract
Documents shall be deemed to have been accepted by Supplier upon the first to occur of (a)
written, telecopied, or electronic data acceptance thereof by Supplier, whether through MBV’s
Supplier Portal or otherwise (b) Supplier's submission of a bid or quote in response to the Source
Package or (c) Supplier's first shipment or other commencement of performance under a
Purchase Order.
SECTION 3: Requirements and Exclusivity
3.1 MBV intends to use the Product in the Vehicle, and, subject to the terms of the
Agreement, intends to purchase from Supplier a certain amount, as determined by MBV in its
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sole discretion, of the demand requirements for the Product and/or Service Parts, which MBV
has for the Vehicle production at its Charleston County, South Carolina facility, provided that
Supplier (a) complies with the terms of the Agreement, and (b) shall conclude with MBV, in due
time, the Purchase Orders issued by MBV pursuant to the Agreement. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, MBV may purchase any Product or Service Parts from another supplier or directly
from a Lower Tier supplier, sub-supplier or component supplier who manufactured such part.
MBV's decision to purchase some or all of the Service Parts from another supplier or directly
from a Lower Tier supplier or sub-supplier does not relieve Supplier from its obligations under
the Agreement.
3.2 Supplier shall deliver the Product to MBV for the Vehicle, shall conclude with MBV, in
due time, the Purchase Orders, and shall supply to MBV 100% of MBV orders for the Product
and related Service Parts, as the case may be.
3.3 Unless otherwise specified in the Development Agreement, if the Product and/or related
Service Parts therefor, as the case may be, (1) were developed by or on behalf of Daimler, or if
(2) Daimler paid for the respective development costs, or if (3) Daimler paid for the respective
costs of the tooling therefor, then the delivery of such Product and of the relevant parts, including
Service Parts, shall be made by Supplier exclusively to MBV or its designee. In the case of a
Product and/or Service Parts specifically developed or manufactured for the Vehicle and
procured by Supplier from its Lower Tier sub-suppliers, Supplier shall preserve in its contracts
with Lower Tier sub-suppliers exclusivity rights in order that Supplier can warrant its full
compliance with its exclusivity obligation to MBV, if any.
3.4 Supplier shall not sell, transfer, or lend to any entity except MBV, or otherwise make use
of a Product or Service Parts identified with marks, trade names, or trademarks held by MBV or
Daimler, or otherwise packaged or contained in wrappings or containers so identified.
SECTION 4: Production by Supplier
4.1 MBV shall advise Supplier in due time regarding its volume plans for the Product.
MBV's volume plans are estimates and forecasts and are non-binding on MBV and are provided
for informational purposes only. Any variation (increase or decrease) in volume projections
shall have no impact on Supplier's continuing obligation to provide MBV's actual demand
requirements for the Products to MBV. Any variation or deviation from any volume projection
shall in no way constitute a basis for Supplier to cease production or perform its obligations
under this Agreement to supply MBV with its demand requirements for the Product or a basis for
Supplier to demand any increase in price. Supplier shall produce the Product consistent with the
Specifications. MBV will provide Supplier with MBV's actual requirements and delivery times
for the Product.
4.2 Supplier shall take all necessary actions to be able to produce and supply to MBV the
Product and/or Service Parts as contemplated by the Agreement. Supplier should be able to
support MBV peak daily production volumes by operating its facilities not more than two (2)
shifts, nine (9) hours each per day, five (5) days per week.
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4.3 Supplier shall comply with the quality standards and quality assurance procedures for the
manufacture of the Product and/or Service Parts as set forth in the Source Package and MBV
Quality Manual referenced as Attachment 3 (as may be amended from time to time), and shall
implement quality plans and procedures in accordance therewith. MBV or its representatives
shall have access, as it may deem reasonable, to Supplier's manufacturing facilities to determine
whether proper compliance with such standards and procedures is being followed.
4.4 Provided instructions have been given to Supplier in a timely manner, Supplier shall affix
on the Product and Service Parts Daimler's trademark as instructed by MBV, in a size and a
location as agreed to by Supplier, which agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld.
4.5 Supplier shall maintain documentation regarding the design and manufacture of the
Product and/or Service Parts according to the instructions given by MBV for at least 20 years
from the date on which the Product and/or Service Parts cease to be manufactured by Supplier
for MBV and used in the Vehicle, or such shorter time period as MBV may determine from time
to time.
4.6 If and to the extent Supplier supplies part or all of the Product or Service Parts to one or
more other suppliers of MBV for the purpose of supplying MBV with production or Service
Parts for the Vehicle, then Supplier shall be considered the "Lower Tier" supplier, and such other
suppliers the "Higher Tier" supplier. Each Lower Tier shall duly cooperate with the Higher Tier
and shall fully comply with the requirements of such Higher Tier, in addition to the terms of this
Agreement. MBV is a third party beneficiary of Supplier's contracts with its Lower Tier
supplier's. In the event that any Lower Tier is a Directed Lower Tier, such Directed Lower Tier
shall remain obligated to MBV for the production of Products in accordance with these Master
terms Direct Purchasing, regardless of any termination of the contract between such Directed
Lower Tier and the Higher Tier.
4.7 If Supplier is a Higher Tier, it shall (a) be responsible for the System, and (b) inform
MBV and relevant Lower Tiers immediately of any problem which Supplier cannot promptly
resolve and propose to MBV proper remedies for such problem.
4.8 Supplier shall develop, maintain and provide to MBV a Chain of Supply List, and
Supplier shall update its Chain of Supply List on an annual basis, or more frequently, if
requested by MBV.
4.9 Under no circumstances shall Supplier at any time modify the Product or Service Parts
without the prior written approval of MBV, which MBV may withhold in its discretion, if such
modification affects the Specifications, the measurements, functioning, or serviceability of other
components and parts, or of the Vehicle as a whole. All other modifications are also subject to
the prior written approval of MBV, although any such approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld. MBV may require any design change or modification of the Product, if such change or
modification is due to legal requirements, manufacturability, marketing needs, and/or stylistic
considerations. MBV may request any other design changes or modifications to the Product
subject to Supplier's consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. Supplier undertakes to
keep any cost resulting from any design change or modifications, such as cost incurred because
of tooling adaptations and any obsolescence charge, to a minimum. Supplier shall document all
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changes in cost in the detailed format required by MBV and in accordance with the Agreement.
Furthermore, with respect to design changes or modifications due to legal requirements,
manufacturability, marketing needs, and/or stylistic considerations, Supplier commits that the
Product shall remain competitive. The comparison basis for minimum cost and competitiveness
shall be quotations submitted to MBV by competitors of the Supplier for the Product, or an
alternate product fitting the same purpose with the incorporation of the design change proposed
by MBV. Supplier acknowledges that its obligations and commitments under this Section 4.9
are of a material nature.
4.10 To the extent that Supplier utilizes any affiliates, subsidiaries or other related person for
purposes of fulfilling its obligations under this Agreement or any of such affiliates, subsidiaries
or other related persons provide or supply Products, Service Parts, or any components thereof,
Supplier agrees that each and every provision of this Agreement shall be binding upon all such
affiliates, subsidiaries or other related persons, and Supplier represents and warrants to MBV that
it has the express authority to bind all such affiliates, subsidiaries or other related persons to this
Agreement.
SECTION 5:Payment for Null Series (B-Phase) and Production Trial Parts (PT1-PT-3)
5.1 General Principles.
MBV distinguishes between “plannable start-up costs” (see Section 5.2) and “non-
plannable start-up costs” or “additional material costs” (see Section 5.3).
MBV provides the necessary information on the project-specific start up process as part
of the request for bids.
5.2 Plannable Start-up Costs. Between the points in time when (1) parts are produced using
series production tools and (2) full capacity, cost increases may occur in the Supplier's
production process. These costs are considered plannable start-up costs, and can be calculated at
an early stage based on the specified start up unit numbers and deadlines.
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Plannable start-up costs include:
Production set-up and idle capacity costs, assembly and testing expenses, rejects,
supplements for smaller quantities, parts labeling – E-status and Q-status,
and costs for bank-build of parts
Logistics transportation, storage, container, handling and repackaging costs, special
orders with a process deviating from that of the delivery call-up
Samples supplies for color meetings, design-stage workshops, process acceptance
samples tests, initial sample inspection with sample inspection report/initial
sample inspection report (SIR/ISIR).
The components required for color meetings are to be supplied in every trim
color. Detailed planning will be communicated by the MBV Quality
Department to Supplier not less than 12 weeks before the color meeting
begins. Supplier must ensure on-time delivery of the components. The
initial samples received from the Supplier for the production and process
approval procedure (PPA) are plannable start-up costs, and therefore will be
supplied free of additional charge. The number of initial samples required
will be agreed to by Buyer and Supplier.
Sample parts to be supplied following a design change must be taken into
consideration in the change tender via eÄM.
Supplier shall cover the delivery costs to send parts for the B-Phase/Null
Series to Sindelfingen, Germany, or to Vance, Alabama, whichever is
applicable.
As a rule, the plannable start-up costs, including those listed above, are covered by the
series price. If there are justifiable individual cases in which the plannable start-up costs are not
covered by the series production price, the Supplier shall specify any such additional costs in
detail at the time it submits its tender. Start-up costs specified once the order has been placed
cannot be considered.
Plannable start-up costs up to QG A/I are only paid to the Supplier if approved in writing
by MBV.
5.3 Additional Material Costs (AMC=MMK, Non Plannable Material Start Up Costs).
If, through no fault of Supplier, design changes or significant changes to MBV's non-
binding requirement estimates are required for deliveries once parts are produced using series
production tools, the start-up costs that are not plannable when the tender is submitted may be
separately remunerated by MBV within an appropriate framework.
Supplier must identify and justify the non-plannable components within the framework of
the MMK inquiry by MBV. Completed forms should be sent to MBV Finance & Controlling by
email as directed by MBV. Supplier should include in the email subject line the Supplier name,
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production period (B phase, PT1, PT2 or PT3), part number and part description. Forms must be
completed and submitted to MBV within four weeks after the end of each production period.
AMC Forms are found at the MBV Supplier Communication Guide (Finance
Product/Tool Controlling -- Communication to Suppliers).
Additional material costs may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Additional staff costs incurred by Supplier
Reworking
Special carriage costs
Scrapping costs
MMKs shall only be paid to the Supplier up to full capacity subject to approval by MBV.
5.4 Series Production Price
The series price becomes valid for Supplier's deliveries at the point in time when parts are
produced using series production tools. This applies regardless of the purpose and place of
delivery. With the series prices (total prices) valid at this point in time, all costs (e.g. set-up,
measurement, packaging, shipping, handling) are covered, up to and including delivery, to the
places of delivery defined by MBV. Any plannable start-up costs must be considered in the
series price. The applicable deadlines can be found in the document "Excerpt from the Process
Master Plan for Suppliers".
5.5 Allocation of Flash and OTP Processors.
As a series solution: costs should be considered into the series production price.
If, within the framework of target price definition and assignment, a flash/OTP solution is
agreed as the series solution, the Supplier must cost this into the series price.
As an intermediate solution as of the point in time when parts are produced using series
production tools up to and including PRO 2 or PT 2: specified as start-up costs.
The MDS process states that the provision of electric and electronic components for PRO
3 or PT 3 from mask processor must be ensured by the Supplier, i.e. the use of flash/OTP
processors for part provisioning prior to PRO 3 or PT 3 must be specified as plannable start-up
costs by the Supplier.
As an intermediate solution as of PRO 3 or PT3: remuneration as MMK.
These must be treated as the aforementioned additional material costs requiring approval.
SECTION 6: MBV Owned Equipment
6.1 Supplier Acquisition of MBV Owned Equipment.
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(a) Supplier shall acquire all MBV Owned Equipment as listed in Equipment
Database pursuant to Purchase Orders issued by MBV to Supplier in accordance with
Section 10 hereof. Supplier shall also acquire any MBV Owned Equipment subsequently
determined to be necessary for the manufacturing of any Products and/or Service Parts
pursuant to additional Purchase Orders issued to Supplier by MBV, whether or not such
MBV Owned Equipment is reflected in the Equipment Database. Supplier shall invoice
MBV for the MBV Owned Equipment in accordance with the provisions of Section 10
hereof, as may be modified by Section 6.2 below.
(b) Supplier shall be responsible for any and all sales and use tax, leasing tax, excise
tax, property tax, duty, fee or any other charge attributable to the MBV Owned
Equipment. Supplier's responsibilities for said taxes and charges are set forth in Section
26 below.
6.2 Purchase of MBV Owned Equipment.
(a) For each item of MBV Owned Equipment, effective as of the applicable MBV
Owned Equipment Title Transfer Date, Supplier, for and in consideration of the MBV
Equipment purchase price, SELLS, GRANTS, BARGAINS, CONVEYS, ASSIGNS,
TRANSFERS AND DELIVERS to MBV and its successors and assigns, all right, title
and interest in and to such MBV Owned Equipment as collectively identified in the Tool
Tracking Sheet. Supplier warrants that at such time, it will be and is the sole and
exclusive MBV of, and will have and has good and marketable title to the MBV Owned
Equipment being conveyed to MBV, free and clear of all liens, liabilities, security
interests, leasehold interests and encumbrances of any nature whatsoever.
(b) It is expressly understood that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in the Agreement, title to the applicable MBV Owned Equipment shall not pass until the
MBV Owned Equipment Title Transfer Date, which may or may not be the same day as
the MBV Owned Equipment Approval Date.
(c) The purchase price for any MBV Owned Equipment shall be equal to the sum of
all prices reflected in the Purchase Orders and change orders (if any) issued by MBV
therefor. MBV shall pay eighty percent (80%) of the purchase price for the MBV Owned
Equipment upon the occurrence of the following: (i) MBV accepts the applicable MBV
Owned Equipment through PPAP yellow/yellow; (ii) Supplier submits a proper invoice;
(iii) if requested by MBV, Supplier confirms transfer of ownership in accordance with
these Master Terms by execution and delivery of a Bill of Sale in the form of Attachment
4 or otherwise as requested by MBV (it is understood and agreed that title to the MBV
Owned Equipment will pass to MBV at the MBV Owned Equipment Title Transfer Date
as set forth 6.2(a) regardless of the execution of any Bill of Sale and that the execution of
a Bill of Sale, if requested by MBV, is only further evidence of such title transfer); and
(iv) Supplier provides MBV with all PPAP yellow filed. Final payment of twenty
percent (20%) will not be made by MBV until the MBV Owned Equipment Approval
Date. Any payment obligation of MBV shall be subject to the receipt of a proper invoice
from Supplier. Except as modified by this Section 6.2, all Purchase Orders and invoices
shall be issued and paid in accordance with Section 10 below. Notwithstanding the
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foregoing, the terms for payment for MBV Owned Equipment shall be as set forth in the
version of the Master Terms Direct Purchasing which were in effect on the date of
issuance of the Purchase Order for the applicable MBV Owned Equipment.
(d) Upon transfer of title to the MBV Owned Equipment to MBV, unless otherwise
expressly stated in the Agreement, Supplier will retain possession of the MBV Owned
Equipment pursuant to Section 6.3 below.
(e) For the avoidance of doubt, it is expressly understood that all MBV Owned
Equipment will be sold to MBV pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Section 6.2
upon the applicable MBV Owned Equipment Title Transfer Date.
6.3 License and Bailment of MBV Owned Equipment.
(a) Supplier shall retain possession after the sale of the MBV Owned Equipment to
MBV on a license and bailment basis in accordance with this Section 6.3 and the
applicable terms of the Agreement. The applicable Bailment Term and the provisions of
this Section 6.3 shall become effective as to any individual item of MBV Owned
Equipment upon the possession by Supplier, regardless of whether MBV has paid the
purchase price of such MBV Owned Equipment on or before such date. To the extent
owned by MBV in accordance with Section 15 herein, the Bailment Term and provisions
of this Section 6.3 shall become effective as to the MBV Intellectual Property
immediately.
(b) During the Bailment Term, Supplier agrees to accept possession of all of the
MBV Owned Equipment purchased by MBV on a bailment basis. Supplier shall possess
and use the MBV Owned Equipment strictly in accordance with the terms and conditions
set forth herein.
(c) MBV hereby grants Supplier a limited right and license to use the MBV Owned
Equipment solely for the manufacture of the Product and Service Parts during the
Bailment Term and in accordance with the terms hereof.
(d) The Bailment Term shall continue until the expiration of the Agreement, or on
any earlier date as the Agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms and
provisions.
(e) Ownership.
(i) Nothing in the Agreement or this Section 6.3 shall constitute a transfer or
agreement to transfer by MBV or any other entity of any title to any MBV Owned
Equipment or MBV Intellectual Property. Regardless of the fact that additional work
may be performed by Supplier on the MBV Owned Equipment, after the MBV Owned
Equipment Title Transfer Date, MBV shall have sole and exclusive ownership of all
right, title, and interest in and to the MBV Owned Equipment, and Supplier shall have no
right or property interest therein except as expressly granted hereby. MBV shall retain
and is hereby granted by Supplier a precautionary security interest in the MBV Owned
Equipment and the MBV Intellectual Property to secure Supplier's obligations during the
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Bailment Term. The MBV Owned Equipment shall be kept at the address(es) specified
in the Equipment Database or on the applicable Purchase Orders until such time as a
written consent to a change of location is obtained from MBV. If the MBV Owned
Equipment is to be attached to real estate, Supplier shall furnish MBV with a disclaimer
or disclaimers of any interest in the MBV Owned Equipment signed by all entities having
an interest in the real estate. Supplier shall maintain the MBV Owned Equipment so that,
if attached to real estate, the MBV Owned Equipment may be removed without damage
to the real estate. In the event that MBV Owned Equipment will be kept at locations
other than Supplier’s plant, each Lower Tier that owns and/or operates such other
locations must execute a Lower Tier Acknowledgment and Waiver in accordance with
the provisions of Section 38, and Supplier must procure all such fully executed Lower
Tier Acknowledgment and Waiver documents prior to transferring any MBV Owned
Equipment to any such outside location.
(ii) During the Bailment Term, the MBV Owned Equipment shall at all times
remain the property of MBV, and Supplier shall have no right or property interest therein
but only the right to use the same under the Agreement. MBV may display notice of its
ownership by affixing to the MBV Owned Equipment an identifying plate, stencil, or
other indicia of ownership. Such notice shall bear the legend, "Property of Daimler Vans
Manufacturing (“MBV”), or any other legend which MBV shall notify to Supplier from
time to time. Supplier shall not remove, alter or deface MBV’s ownership plates, tags, or
identification on or in the MBV Owned Equipment during the Bailment Term.
(iii) The MBV Intellectual Property and tangible embodiments thereof shall at
all times remain the property of MBV and Supplier shall have no right or property
interest therein but only the right to use the same under the Agreement.
(f) The MBV Owned Equipment shall be used only in the lawful business of the
Supplier. Supplier, without the written consent of MBV, shall not remove the MBV
Owned Equipment from such location nor part with possession or control thereof. MBV
shall have the right to inspect the MBV Owned Equipment at any time and place as
designated by MBV.
(g) At the expiration of the Bailment Term, Supplier shall, in the event that Supplier
is not in default and is in compliance with all the terms and conditions of the Agreement,
have the right to purchase the MBV Owned Equipment on an AS-IS-WHERE-IS basis
for the fair market value, scrap value, or a mutually agreed price to be paid to MBV by
Supplier on that date. In addition, whether or not Supplier is in default at such time,
MBV shall have the option to require Supplier to purchase the MBV Owned Equipment
at the expiration hereof on an AS-IS-WHERE-IS basis for the sum of $1.00, to be paid to
MBV by Supplier on that date. Unless all the conditions of the Agreement have been
fulfilled by Supplier by such date, and the purchase price for the MBV Owned
Equipment paid, the right to purchase the MBV Owned Equipment hereby granted shall
be waived and forfeited. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Supplier shall
not have the right to purchase the MBV Intellectual Property upon the expiration of the
Bailment Term or the Agreement.
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(h) The obligations of Supplier under the Agreement (including, without limitation,
this Section 6.3) shall continue in force and effect regardless of the inability of Supplier
to use the MBV Owned Equipment or the MBV Intellectual Property for any reason
whatsoever, including but not limited to, a Force Majeure Event.
(i) Supplier shall maintain the MBV Owned Equipment, shall pay all license fees,
assessments and taxes, including, without limitation, personal property taxes, for the
MBV Owned Equipment and, unless otherwise instructed by MBV, shall provide annual
written proof of the payment of personal property taxes. Unless otherwise instructed by
MBV, Supplier shall fully insure the MBV Owned Equipment and the insurance policy
shall be in form and in an amount equivalent to the current replacement value and
reasonably acceptable to MBV, and shall name MBV as an additional insured. In
addition, Supplier shall purchase insurance in an amount reasonable under the
circumstances to cover the liability of MBV for public liability and property damage
which in any event shall not be less than $1,000,000 per occurrence. The insurance
policies and proceeds shall be the sole property of MBV. Supplier shall deliver to MBV,
not less than five days prior to the scheduled delivery date of the MBV Owned
Equipment, the policies of insurance or duplicates thereof or other evidence satisfactory
to MBV of such insurance coverage. Each insurer shall agree by endorsement upon the
policy or policies issued by it, that it shall give MBV 30 days prior written notice of the
effective date of any alteration or cancellation. If Supplier fails to obtain such insurance,
MBV shall have the right to obtain insurance at Supplier’s expense. In the event Supplier
fails to preserve and maintain the MBV Owned Equipment, discharge all taxes, liens, or
charges, pay all costs and expenses, or procure and maintain insurance as provided
herein, MBV may take whatever steps are necessary to carry out these requirements. All
advances by MBV shall be repayable by Supplier to MBV on demand, together with
interest thereon at the highest legal contract rate until paid.
(j) Upon expiration or termination of the Agreement, Supplier shall, at its sole cost
(unless Supplier exercises its option to purchase the MBV Owned Equipment or MBV
requires Supplier to purchase the MBV Owned Equipment) immediately return the MBV
Owned Equipment to MBV in the same condition as received, reasonable wear, tear and
depreciation resulting from proper use thereof alone excepted. Furthermore, at such time,
Supplier shall, at its sole cost, immediately return all tangible embodiments of MBV
Intellectual Property in any medium whatsoever.
(k) Without limiting MBV's other rights and remedies pursuant to the Agreement,
law or otherwise, during the Bailment Term, MBV may enter any premises where the
MBV Owned Equipment is located for the purpose of inspection and may remove the
MBV Owned Equipment forthwith, without notice to Supplier, if, in MBV's opinion, the
MBV Owned Equipment is being improperly used or maintained.
(l) Supplier has selected and/or approved both the MBV Owned Equipment of the
type and quality described and the supplier from whom the MBV Owned Equipment has
been purchased. It is understood and agreed that Supplier, in its underlying agreement or
agreements with any supplier of the MBV Owned Equipment, shall require that all
warranties by such suppliers at all times run in favor of both MBV and Supplier,
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irrespective of whether MBV or Supplier was the original purchaser of the MBV Owned
Equipment from such supplier, or the actual MBV thereof, from time to time. Supplier
shall also be responsible throughout the term hereof for the enforcement of, and
maintaining the right of enforcement of, all warranties, agreements or representations, if
any, which may be made by the supplier to Supplier or MBV; however, MBV MAKES
NO WARRANTY, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO
THE MBV OWNED EQUIPMENT OR ANY PART THEREOF, AS TO ITS DESIGN,
QUALITY, CAPACITY, DURABILITY, CONDITION, MERCHANTABILITY, OR
FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EXCEPT THAT MBV WARRANTS
THAT IT SHALL HAVE TITLE TO EACH ITEM OF MBV OWNED EQUIPMENT
AT THE TIME OF DELIVERY THEREOF. ANY DELAY IN DELIVERY SHALL
NOT AFFECT THIS SECTION 6.3 OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE AGREEMENT
IN ANY WAY. NO DEFECT IN OR UNFITNESS OF THE MBV OWNED
EQUIPMENT SHALL RELIEVE SUPPLIER OF ANY OBLIGATION UNDER THIS
SECTION 6.3 OR OTHERWISE UNDER THE AGREEMENT. MBV SHALL IN NO
WAY BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR DAMAGES (WHETHER
CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR OTHERWISE), ARISING OUT OF
THE DELIVERY, USE, PERFORMANCE OR CONDITION OF THE MBV OWNED
EQUIPMENT. Supplier understands and agrees that neither the supplier nor any
salesman or other agent of the supplier is an agent of MBV. No salesman or agent of the
supplier is authorized to waive or alter any term or condition of the Agreement or this
Section 6.3, and no representation as to the MBV Owned Equipment or any other matter
by the supplier shall in any way affect Supplier's duty to perform its obligations as set
forth in the Agreement and this Section 6.3. Supplier acknowledges that MBV has made
no representation or warranty of any kind, nature or description, express or implied, with
respect to the MBV Owned Equipment.
(m) Risk of Loss.
(i) During the Bailment Term, Supplier assumes the entire risk of loss, theft,
or damage to the MBV Owned Equipment, whether or not covered by insurance, and no
such loss, theft, or damage shall relieve Supplier of its obligations hereunder except as
otherwise specifically set forth in the Agreement. This Section 6.3(m) is in addition to
and is not intended to limit any other obligations of Supplier set forth in the Agreement
with respect to risk of loss, theft or damage to the MBV Owned Equipment.
(ii) In the event of loss, theft or damage to the MBV Owned Equipment in
whole or in part, Supplier shall promptly so notify MBV and, at MBV’s option, shall: (a)
restore the MBV Owned Equipment to good condition and working order; or (b) replace
the MBV Owned Equipment with like MBV Owned Equipment in good condition and
working order and furnish MBV with necessary documents to vest good and marketable
title thereto in MBV; or (c) if MBV determines that any item of MBV Owned Equipment
is beyond repair, pay to MBV, within ten (10) days of such notification, the loss value
thereof, which shall be an amount equal to the value of the item of MBV Owned
Equipment on the date of loss, and upon such payment this Section 6.3 shall terminate
with respect to the item of MBV Owned Equipment so paid for and Supplier shall
thereupon become the MBV thereof.
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(iii) The obligations of Supplier pursuant to Section 6.3(m)(ii) shall be offset to
the extent that any insurance proceeds are received by MBV with respect to the subject
MBV Owned Equipment.
(n) Neither MBV, nor any successor or its assigns, shall have any obligation to
install, erect, test, adjust or service the MBV Owned Equipment. Supplier, at its own cost
and expense, shall: (a) pay all charges in connection with the delivery, installation and
operation of the MBV Owned Equipment; (b) comply with all laws, ordinances,
regulations, requirements, and rules with respect to the use, maintenance, and operation
of the MBV Owned Equipment; (c) take good and proper care of the MBV Owned
Equipment and make all repairs and replacements necessary to maintain, preserve, and
keep the MBV Owned Equipment in good condition and working order. Supplier shall
not make any alterations, additions, or improvements to the MBV Owned Equipment
without the prior written consent of MBV. All repairs, replacements, parts, devices,
accessories, and improvements of whatsoever kind or nature furnished or affixed to the
MBV Owned Equipment shall belong to and become part of the property of MBV.
(o) Precautionary Security Interest.
(i) Upon the commencement of the Bailment Term, Supplier hereby creates
and grants to MBV a purchase money security interest in the MBV Owned Equipment,
together with all replacements thereof and all attachments and accessories new or
hereafter installed therein or affixed thereto, in order to secure Supplier’s obligations as
provided herein and all additional indebtedness, costs, obligations and expenses of
Supplier provided in the Agreement. In addition to all remedies provided herein to MBV,
upon Supplier's default, MBV may exercise its rights of enforcement and shall have all
remedies under the Uniform Commercial Code applicable in such jurisdiction as may be
required by law with respect to the MBV Owned Equipment bailed under this Section
6.3. It is understood that the above security interest has been granted in an excess of
caution in the event that the Bailment Agreement should be construed by a court of
competent jurisdiction as an installment sale. Accordingly, provisions of this Section
6.3(o) shall not lessen or restrict, but shall be in addition to, all other obligations of MBV
under the Agreement.
(ii) Supplier shall take every possible step to ensure that the interests of MBV
in the MBV Owned Equipment is fully secured, respected, and is enforceable by MBV at
any time. This obligation includes, but is not limited to, cooperating in the filing of
appropriate Uniform Commercial Code financing statements, including protective filings,
and/or such other documents, if any, as may be necessary or desirable in order to perfect
valid and enforceable rights for MBV in the MBV Owned Equipment all of which MBV
is hereby authorized to file. MBV shall also have title to replacements, which shall
automatically become part of the MBV Owned Equipment. In furtherance thereof,
Supplier shall notify MBV immediately in writing of Supplier’s receipt of each item of
MBV Owned Equipment in order to allow MBV to timely file the respective financing
statement.
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(iii) MBV, as secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code, may file
financing statements without the signature of Supplier as debtor. THIS SECTION 6.3 IS
A BAILMENT AGREEMENT; ANY FILING IS SOLELY PRECAUTIONARY.
(iv) Supplier shall execute and deliver to MBV, upon MBV’s request, such
instruments and assurances as MBV deems necessary for the confirmation or perfection
of this Section 6.3 and MBV’s rights hereunder. In furtherance thereof, MBV may file a
financing statement with respect thereto as to give notice to any interested parties. Any
such filing or recording shall not be deemed evidence of any intent to create a security
interest under the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law as required in such
jurisdiction.
(p) Supplier shall indemnify MBV against and hold MBV harmless from any and all
claims, actions, damages, costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, obligations,
liabilities, and liens (including any of the foregoing arising or accrued without MBV’s
fault or negligence, or under the doctrine of "strict liability") arising out of the
manufacture, purchase, bailment, use, possession, selection, storage, delivery or return,
operation, maintenance, renting, control or other disposition of the MBV Owned
Equipment, or in any way connected therewith (including this Section 6.3). Upon
institution of any action against MBV for any claim, action, damages, obligations,
liability, or lien, Supplier shall assume full responsibility for the defense thereof. The
provisions of this Section 6.3(p) shall survive termination of the Agreement.
(q) Supplier represents that the MBV Owned Equipment is being bailed for business
purposes, and agrees that under no circumstances shall any portion of the Bailment
Agreement be deemed or construed as a consumer contract.
(r) The Bailment Agreement shall be subject to all other terms of the Agreement,
including, without limitation, applicable default, remedy and confidentiality provisions
contained herein.
(s) Without the consent of MBV, which may be withheld by MBV in its sole
discretion, Supplier may not pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, sell, encumber, sublet or
lend the MBV Owned Equipment or permit it to be used by anyone other than Supplier or
its employees.
(t) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 34 below, MBV may assign its rights
under this Section 6.3, the MBV Owned Equipment and the MBV Intellectual Property
without notice to or consent of Supplier. On any such assignment, the assignee shall
succeed to all of MBV's rights in respect thereto. The assignee's rights shall be free from
all claims, defenses, setoffs or counterclaims that Supplier may be entitled to assert
against MBV. Such assignment shall relieve MBV of its obligations to Supplier
hereunder and shall be construed as being an assumption of such obligations to Supplier
hereunder and shall be construed as being an assumption of such obligations by the
assignee. In addition, MBV may mortgage or otherwise encumber the MBV Owned
Equipment and MBV Intellectual Property, or both, in whole or in part, without notice to
or consent of Supplier. The rights of Supplier under the Bailment Agreement shall be
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subordinated to any security agreement or mortgage now existing or hereafter executed
concerning any of the MBV Owned Equipment or MBV Intellectual Property. Supplier
agrees to execute and deliver to MBV promptly upon request an appropriate estoppel
certificate to any secured party or mortgage of any of the MBV Owned Equipment or
MBV Intellectual Property. If Supplier is given notice of such assignment, it shall
acknowledge receipt thereof in writing. Each such assignee, secured party, and/or
mortgage for security shall have all of the rights, but not all of the obligations, of MBV
under this Section 6.3. Supplier shall not assert against MBV's assignee, secured party,
and/or mortgage, or against any of their respective successors in interest, any defense,
counterclaim, or offset that Supplier may have against MBV.
6.4 MBV is not responsible for any repairs, service, or defects in the MBV Owned
Equipment or the operation thereof. Supplier agrees that all such risks are to be borne by
Supplier at its sole risk and expense, since Supplier itself has made its own selection of the MBV
Owned Equipment based upon its own judgment. Supplier releases any and all claims
whatsoever against MBV for any defect or deficiency in the MBV Owned Equipment.
6.5 All patterns, tools, dies or other material furnished by MBV to Supplier, or which are
specifically paid for by MBV, and any replacements thereof or anything affixed or attached
thereto, whether or not such items constitute MBV Owned Equipment or MBV Intellectual
Property (or tangible embodiments thereof) (a) shall be and remain the personal property of
MBV; (b) shall be plainly marked or otherwise adequately identified by Supplier as “property of
Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC,” if reasonably possible; and (c) shall be safely stored separate and
apart from Supplier's property. Supplier shall not substitute any property for such property, and
shall not use such property except for filling the Purchase Orders issued by MBV. While in the
custody or control of Supplier, such property shall be held at Supplier's risk. Supplier shall keep
such tooling or property in its possession and/or control in good condition, fully covered by
insurance, free of liens or encumbrances, and shall replace such tooling or property when lost,
damaged, or destroyed. All MBV tooling or property shall be transferred as MBV may direct at
any time, in which event Supplier shall immediately prepare such property for shipment and
shall deliver such property to MBV or its assignee in the same condition as originally received,
reasonable wear and tear excepted.
6.6 Supplier shall, at the appropriate time, make a competitive offer for purchase by MBV of
special tools for the repair of the Product and/or Service Parts.
6.7 Without limitation to any other provision herein, Supplier is solely responsible for all
maintenance and upkeep necessary to keep the MBV Owned Equipment, Amortized Supplier
Equipment and Supplier MBV Equipment in good working order and condition to fulfill
Supplier’s obligations under the Agreement. In addition, in the event that any MBV Owned
Equipment, Amortized Supplier Equipment or Supplier MBV Equipment should wear out, fail
and/or need replacing during the term of the Agreement, Supplier shall be solely responsible for
manufacturing or replacing such MBV Owned Equipment, Amortized Supplier Equipment or
Supplier MBV Equipment, as the case may be, in order for Supplier to fulfill its obligations
under the Agreement, but in any event in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.
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6.8 Amortized Supplier Equipment.
(a) Upon full amortization of the Amortized Supplier Equipment in the series
production price, MBV shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to purchase the fully
amortized Amortized Supplier Equipment for the purchase price of $1.00. In the event
MBV elects to purchase such Amortized Supplier Equipment, it shall be subject to the
bailment and license terms of Section 6.3 herein.
(b) Upon termination or earlier expiration of the Agreement, with respect to fixtures
and gauges, MBV shall have the option to purchase from Supplier any or all of the
fixtures and gauges for an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the amount owing at the time
of termination based upon the piece price for such fixtures and gauges, amortized over
the useful life of the Vehicle, or (2) the fair market value of the fixtures and gauges.
SECTION 7: Trade, Labeling Requirements and Customs
7.1 Country of Origin Marking. All Products and Service Parts supplied by Supplier to MBV
shall comply with any country of origin marking requirements, including, without limitation,
those in effect in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as set forth in the NAFTA and in
applicable regulations of the customs administrations in all jurisdictions. Such compliance is to
include required marking of all containers in which Products and Service Parts are supplied to
MBV. Upon the request of MBV, Supplier shall provide MBV with such country of origin
certification as shall be requested by MBV.
7.2 Drawback. MBV shall own all rights to drawback of customs duties paid or payable on
products supplied by Supplier to MBV and all rights to drawback of customs duties paid or
payable on materials and components used in manufacturing such products. These rights of
MBV shall include rights to all types of drawback, including substitution drawback. Supplier
shall provide MBV all information and documentation necessary for MBV to claim and obtain
drawback, including, but not limited to, entry information, waivers of Supplier's or sub-suppliers'
drawback rights, certificates of manufacture, and certificates of delivery. Supplier shall take all
necessary steps within its control to allow MBV or its designated agent to obtain such drawback
and reasonably assist MBV or its designated agent in these efforts.
7.3 Products Supplied to MBV from Outside the United States, Delivery Duty Paid (DDP).
Where so designated according to the transportation code stated in the Purchase Order, Supplier
shall serve as importer of record and be responsible for the filing with the U.S. Customs Service
of all entry documentation and the payment of all customs duties, fees, and charges, including,
but not limited to, antidumping duties, countervailing duties, temporary duties, special duties,
marking duties, penalties, liquidated damages, and storage charges. Products subject to this
procedure shall be delivered duty paid (DDP) to MBV dock at destination. Supplier shall
assume all responsibilities and liabilities arising under U.S. Customs laws and regulations for
import shipments subject to this procedure.
7.4 Products Supplied to MBV from Outside the United States, Delivery Duty Unpaid
(DDU). Where so designated according to the transportation code stated in the Purchase Order,
Supplier shall deliver Product to MBV on a delivery duty unpaid (DDU) basis. For products
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supplied subject to this procedure, Supplier shall arrange for the filing with the U.S. Customs
Service of all in-bond entry documentation and shall assume all responsibility and liability
arising from the use of in-bond customs procedures for the transportation of the product to MBV,
including, but not limited to, any liability arising from the breach of any obligation or condition
of such in-bond customs procedures. Such liability for the breach of any such obligation or
condition of in-bond customs procedures shall include, but not be limited to, penalties, liquidated
damages, customs duties (including, but not limited to, antidumping duties, countervailing
duties, temporary duties, special duties, and marking duties), fees and storage charges.
7.5 Customs Duties and Brokers' Fees. Supplier shall obtain prior approval of MBV before
utilizing the services of any broker. The responsibility for customs duty and customs brokers'
fees shall be determined in accordance with the transportation code stated in any Purchase Order.
If MBV is responsible for customs duties, it shall be responsible for normal duties only. Supplier
shall be responsible for any special duties, including, but not limited to, marking, anti-dumping,
and countervailing duties, to the extent permitted under the law of the country of importation.
Supplier shall provide MBV or the appropriate governmental authority all documentation and
information required by law or regulation or otherwise necessary to determine the proper
minimum duty to be paid upon the importation of the goods into any country or to obtain any
refunds or drawbacks of duties paid.
7.6 Import or Export Licenses. Supplier shall advise MBV if the importation or exportation
of the Product requires an import or export license. Supplier shall assist MBV in obtaining any
such license unless Supplier is providing the Product DDP, in which case the Supplier shall
obtain the license for the importation of the Product.
7.7 Documentation. Supplier shall provide to MBV and the appropriate governmental
agency the documentation necessary to determine the admissibility and the effect of entry of the
Product into the country in which the Product is delivered to MBV. Supplier warrants that the
information regarding the import or export of the Product supplied to MBV is and shall be true
and correct in every respect and that all sales covered by any Purchase Order shall be made at not
less than fair value under the anti-dumping laws of any countries to which the Product is
exported.
7.8 Packaging. Supplier shall ensure that all Products supplied by Supplier to MBV, and all
containers and other shipping and packaging materials used with such Products, comply with all
applicable laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, laws and regulations addressing the
transportation and labeling of hazardous materials.
7.9 TSCA Certification. Consistent with Section 36.2 of the Agreement, Supplier shall
ensure that all Products supplied by Supplier to MBV comply with all applicable requirements of
the Toxic Substances Control Act ("TSCA") and regulations thereunder. Any chemical parts
must be accompanied by a TSCA certification. The invoice of all Products supplied by Supplier
to MBV and consisting of a chemical substance, whether imported in bulk or as part of a
mixture, shall contain the appropriate certification concerning TSCA compliance that is set forth
in section 12.121 of the regulations of the U.S. Customs Service (19 C.F.R.§ 12.121). Where a
Supplier supplies to MBV a Product consisting of or containing a chemical substance or mixture
as part of an article supplied to MBV, Supplier shall ensure that such Product complies with any
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applicable requirements of the TSCA. The invoice of such Product supplied by Supplier shall
contain the appropriate certification concerning TSCA compliance that is set forth in section
12.121 of the regulations of the U.S. Customs Service (19 C.F.R. § 12.121) if reporting of the
importation of such Product is required by a rule or order issued under the authority of the
TSCA.
7.10 American Automobile Labeling Act. Supplier shall furnish to MBV all information and
data necessary or requested by MBV to enable MBV to comply with its obligations under the
American Automobile Labeling Act.
7.11 United States Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT).
(a) MBV participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)
program. C-TPAT is a government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships
that strengthen and improve overall international supply chain and U.S. border security.
(b) Supplier is encouraged to ensure shipments made in connection with this
Agreement are conveyed through transportation providers that are certified under the
U.S. CBP C-TPAT program.
(c) Upon request, Supplier shall provide to MBV reasonable evidence of compliance
with this clause.
(d) Supplier shall include paragraphs (b) and (c) of this clause, or equivalent
provisions, in any subcontracts involving shipments related to this Agreement.
SECTION 8: Supplier's Selling Prices
8.1 The price(s) for the Product and/or Service Parts supplied to MBV shall be based upon
the agreed price(s) in the respective Purchase Orders issued under the Agreement, subject only to
those adjustments set forth in Section 9 below, and shall each be broken down to at least the
level of detail shown in the Cost Breakdowns. Without limiting any other provision of the
Agreement, the price includes preparation of the Product and/or Service Parts to be fit for
transportation, packaging and racks with appropriate shipping dunnage, unless otherwise
specifically excluded.
8.2 Notwithstanding any other term of the Agreement, the Contract Documents or any
Purchase Order issued pursuant to the Agreement, title to and risk of loss of the Product and/or
Service Parts shall remain with the Supplier until the Product and/or Service Parts have been
delivered at the destination specified by MBV, regardless of any conflicting delivery or price
term, and regardless of which Party pays the cost of transportation to the destination specified by
MBV.
SECTION 9: Price Adjustments
9.1 Pricing Firm. Except as specifically provided in this Section 9, the prices as agreed upon
between MBV and Supplier and set forth in the initial Purchase Order for Products and/or
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Service Parts, as provided in Section 8.1, shall be firm for the Term of this Agreement. There
shall be no change to the price for any Products and/or Service Parts absent written agreement
between the Parties and the issuance of a Purchase Order by MBV reflecting a new price, subject
to the then current Master Terms Direct Purchasing. There is no requirement or obligation for
any annual price adjustment, and the price set forth in the most recent Purchase Order shall
control until such time as any new pricing is agreed upon and reflected in a newly issued
Purchase Order. There will be no price adjustment resulting from Supplier's inability to
accurately anticipate costs or Supplier's inability to generate a profit from the sale of the Products
and Service Parts to MBV.
9.2 Interruption of Supply. If there is any dispute or disagreement regarding pricing,
Supplier shall continue to perform its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the
most recent price agreed upon and set forth in a Purchase Order.
9.3 Costs Savings. With respect to pricing and price adjustments, Supplier shall, at all times,
comply with the cost provisions set forth in the Source Package, and the price of the Product
shall be that which is set forth in the applicable Purchase Order(s).
9.4 Adjustments for Annual Improvements. The prices for the Product and Service Parts shall
be reduced annually in accordance with the future productivity commercial piece price
reductions submitted with Supplier's quote in accordance with the provisions of the Source
Package. This annual productivity reduction will be taken off the Purchase Order price for the
life of the Product.
9.5 Adjustments for Design Changes.
(a) If MBV initiates a change in design of the Product or Service Parts (including
specifications for materials therefor), which results in increased or decreased costs to the
Supplier, the pertinent prices shall be adjusted to reflect the increases and/or decreases in
the Supplier's cost structure outlined in the pertinent Cost Breakdowns. Supplier shall
work closely with MBV to ensure that incremental tooling charges, if any, are kept to a
minimum.
(b) If the Supplier initiates a change in the design of the Product or Service Parts and
MBV approves such design change which results in increased costs, the pertinent price
shall be adjusted to reflect the increase and/or decrease in the Supplier's cost structure as
set forth in the pertinent Cost Breakdowns provided that the net result is an increase in
the overall cost, the price will be adjusted only if and to the extent such increase was
included in Supplier's proposal for modification. If the result of such change is a net
decrease in cost, the price for the pertinent Product or Service Parts shall reflect such
reduced cost level.
(c) Notwithstanding the aforementioned price adjustments for design changes, the
prices for the Product and Service Parts shall not be adjusted if the design change was
necessary for the Supplier to meet the then current specifications and any mutually
agreed validation requirements.
9.6 Adjustments for Cost Savings.
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(a) Either party may make proposals for the improvement of any manufacturing
process, design, and any other process. If such proposal is to be implemented, the
Supplier shall do so as soon as possible. Beginning with the effective date of the
implementation, the pertinent prices shall be decreased by an amount equal to the agreed
upon percentage of the achieved cost savings.
(b) Supplier undertakes to strive to achieve lower cost levels, and Supplier will pass
on to MBV the cost savings which have been achieved in accordance with such
optimization of the calculation items. To the extent legally permissible, Supplier will
also be prepared to participate in cooperative buying activities with other companies
purchasing material from the same suppliers to benefit from the most competitive
material purchase prices.
(c) Cost savings will become effective as they are achieved and will be fully reflected
in reduced prices immediately. The Parties will together review on a regular basis the
status of cost improvements.
9.7 Pricing: Service Parts. Service Parts shall be sold by Supplier to MBV at the then
applicable selling prices according to the breakdown described in the Cost Breakdowns,
including preparation for transportation, packaging, and appropriate transport equipment. MBV
may, at its option, request Supplier to supply general distributors of the Vehicle directly with
Service Parts at the same prices available to MBV, plus documented additional logistic cost, and
Supplier shall comply with such request, accepting corresponding purchase orders from the
relevant general distributors. Service Parts prices include Service Parts documentation in
English and German consisting of two sets each which shall be amended from time to time as
required by and submitted to MBV.
Three (3) Year Policy At the completion of series production, the price for the spare parts shall
be calculated from the most recent applicable series production price plus the costs actually
incurred by the Supplier for special packaging. This price shall be fixed for a period of three (3)
years from the end of series production. The parties agree to renegotiate the new prices for the
provision of spare parts no later than three (3) months prior to the end of the three (3) year
period. Until a new price has been mutually agreed, the most recently agreed price shall apply.
The parties agree to negotiate in good faith on the agreement of a new price following this three
(3) year period.
9.8 Pricing: Most Favorable Costs; Self-Invoicing; and Taxes
(a) Notwithstanding the agreements on price in the Purchase Orders issued under the
Agreement and in the Cost Breakdowns, in the event the Products or Service Parts, if
permitted by the Agreement, are not exclusively delivered to MBV, then the actual price
to be paid by MBV shall in no event be higher than prices paid by any other customer of
Supplier for the Products or Service Parts.
(b) Settlement of payments by MBV shall be in accordance with MBV practices, as
adopted from time to time, which may include self-invoicing according to final Vehicle
clearance at the end of the MBV assembly line.
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(c) Taxes paid by MBV with respect to MBV Owned Equipment shall constitute a
downward adjustment to the price to be paid to Supplier by MBV.
9.9 Obsolescence. If, after MBV has issued a Purchase Order for any Product or Service
Part, such Product, Service Part, or component thereof, subject to the order becomes obsolete,
whether by reason of a design change, raw material change, or otherwise and MBV agrees that
such Product, Service Part, or component thereof is no longer acceptable in connection with the
Purchase Order, Supplier shall have a period of 30 days after acknowledgement in writing by
MBV of such obsolescence to submit to MBV an obsolescence charge for the cost of materials
on hand and documented third party expenses incurred by Supplier in connection with such
obsolete Product, Service Part or component. The obsolescence charge shall take into account
the then current value (whether scrap or otherwise) of the obsolete Products, Exchange Products,
service parts or components. After such 30 day period, Supplier waives any claim for an
obsolescence charge. MBV is not responsible for any Products, Service Part, component, raw
materials or other third party expenses incurred by Supplier which are not part of an issued
Purchase Order from MBV.
SECTION 10: Purchase Orders and Invoicing
10.1 The purchase of Product or Service Parts shall be made pursuant to the Agreement
through the issuance by MBV to Supplier of Purchase Orders, in forms adopted by MBV from
time to time for such purpose. Acceptance of each Purchase Order is expressly limited to the
terms of the Agreement and the Contract Documents. Additionally, Supplier shall acquire the
MBV Owned Equipment pursuant to the Agreement through the issuance by MBV to Supplier of
Purchase Orders. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Contract Documents
may not be modified, superseded, or altered except by written agreement, by telecopied
agreement, or by electronic data agreement signed or issued by an authorized representative of
MBV, notwithstanding any terms which may now or in the future appear on any quotations, sales
orders, acknowledgments, invoices, or other forms issued by Supplier, whether printed, by
telecopy, or by electronic data interchange. THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS SHALL
CONTROL IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT WITH THE TERMS OF ANY
QUOTATION, SALES ORDER, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, INVOICE, OR OTHER FORM
ISSUED BY SUPPLIER, WHETHER PRINTED, BY TELECOPY, OR BY ELECTRONIC
DATA INTERCHANGE, AND REGARDLESS OF THE MEANS BY WHICH SUPPLIER
EFFECTS ACCEPTANCE OF THE PURCHASE ORDER. This provision shall be deemed to
be incorporated into each Purchase Order issued under the Agreement.
10.2 Supplier is obligated to accept each Purchase Order issued in accordance with the
Contract Documents. Each Purchase Order shall be deemed to have been accepted by Supplier
upon the first to occur of (a) written, telecopied, or electronic data acceptance thereof by
Supplier, (b) Supplier’s submission of a bid or quote in response to the Source Package; or (c)
Supplier's first shipment or other commencement of performance under the Purchase Order by
Supplier.
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10.3 Supplier shall notify MBV in writing upon receipt of any Purchase Order if Product or
Service Parts sold hereunder are subject to laws or regulations relating to hazardous or toxic
substances; or when disposed of, to regulations governing hazardous waste, or to any other
environmental or safety and health regulations. Supplier shall furnish all appropriate shipping
certification and instructions for shipping, safety, handling, exposure, and disposal (including,
without limitation, material safety data sheets) in a form sufficiently clear for use by MBV's non-
technical personnel and sufficiently specific to identify all action which the user must take
concerning the material.
10.4 MBV shall have the right at any time to change any Purchase Order (whether by
adjustment order or otherwise) as to specifications, delivery, packaging, or means of shipment.
If any such change is expected to result in either additional or reduced cost to Supplier, Supplier
shall immediately inform MBV of such fact and Supplier and MBV shall agree upon an
adjustment in the price or other terms of the Purchase Order to reflect the change. Any
obsolescence charge must be made by Supplier within 30 days as set forth in Section 9.7 above.
10.5 When deliveries are specified to be in accordance with written releases issued by MBV,
Supplier shall not fabricate or assemble any Product, nor procure required materials, nor ship any
supplies, except to the extent authorized by such written releases or provisions of a Purchase
Order specifying minimum fabrication or delivery quantities.
10.6 Separate invoices shall be issued by Supplier for deliveries of the Product and/or Service
Parts within thirty (30) days of delivery to MBV. Invoices shall be issued by Supplier for MBV
Owned Equipment in accordance with Section 6.2(c) hereof. Delay in receiving invoices, as
well as errors and omissions on invoices, shall be considered just cause for withholding payment
without losing cash discount privileges. Subject to Section 6.2(c) above, payment terms are as
specified by MBV from time to time either (a) net 30 days after MBV's receipt of the Product
and/or Service Parts, or Services, and proper invoice, or (b) net 25th day (approximate) of the
month following the month of receipt of the Product and/or Service Parts, or Services, and
proper invoice. Each invoice shall specify the Purchase Order to which it relates. The medium
of payment shall be expressed in United States currency.
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SECTION 11: Liens
11.1 Waiver and Release of Liens. To the full extent permitted by applicable law, Supplier
hereby waives and releases any and all rights of mechanic's lien, materialmen's lien, laborer's lien
and similar rights for payment for Product, Service Parts, MBV Owned Equipment or other
Services, labor, equipment, or materials furnished by Supplier in performance of the Agreement
and granted by law to persons supplying materials, equipment, services and other things of value
to improve or modify land or structures thereon, which Supplier may have against MBV's
premises or property belonging to MBV or its agents. Supplier shall indemnify and save
harmless MBV and its employees, agents and assigns from and against all laborers', mechanics'
or materialmen's liens, or any other lien, claim (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees),
charge, or encumbrance, of whatever kind upon the Product, Service Parts, MBV Owned
Equipment, MBV's plant in Ladson, South Carolina, any property of MBV and/or any monies
retained by MBV or due or to become due from MBV to Supplier, arising out of the Services
performed by Supplier or by its Lower Tier suppliers or their vendors or Lower Tier suppliers
and/or out of the Product, Service Parts, MBV Owned Equipment, or other materials, Services or
equipment furnished by Supplier or by its Lower Tier suppliers or any of their respective
employees, agents, or Lower Tier suppliers under or in connection with the Agreement or in
connection with the Product and/or Service Parts.
11.2 Supplier to Keep all Property Free and Clear of Liens. Without limitation and in addition
to any other provision in the Agreement, Supplier shall at all times promptly pay for all Services,
materials, equipment and labor used or furnished by Supplier in the performance of its
obligations under the Agreement and shall at its expense keep all property belonging to MBV,
including, without limitation, the MBV Owned Equipment, free and clear of any and all of the
above-mentioned liens and rights of lien arising out of Product or Service Parts or other Services,
labor, equipment or materials furnished by Supplier or its employees, materialmen or Lower Tier
suppliers in the performance of the Agreement. If Supplier fails to release and discharge any
such claim of lien against the property of MBV arising out of performance of the Agreement
within five (5) working days after receipt of written notice from MBV to remove such claim of
lien, MBV may, at its option, discharge or release the claim of lien or otherwise deal with the
lien claimant, and Supplier shall pay MBV any and all costs and expenses of MBV in so doing,
including reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by MBV.
SECTION 12: Shipment, Packing, and Marking
12.1 TIME AND QUANTITY ARE OF THE ESSENCE in all of the Contract Documents,
including, without limitation, each Purchase Order.
12.2 Shipment. Supplier shall comply with all of MBV's logistics directives, as amended from
time to time, which shall include, but not be limited to, the provisions set forth in this Section
12.2. MBV reserves the right to alter the agreed upon logistics requirements set forth herein.
The costs set forth herein are binding until MBV elects a change on the logistics requirements.
Any additional costs associated with any subsequent logistics requirements shall be agreed upon
in the context of change management. Any claims for damages that may arise from a change in
logistics requirements are precluded.
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(a) Parts Ordering System.
(i) Supplier shall meet MBV's just-in-time delivery requirements. MBV's
parts ordering release system is designed to allow a material flow system that will support
a guideline of two (2) hours line side stock. This is based on the pull system which
supports low cost/low inventory, just in time material requirements.
(ii) Net requirements will be generated for every part in the six-month horizon
with the following conditions existing:
(A) New RANS (New receipt authorizations);
(B) Released RANS (Open receipt authorizations); and
(C) Future Planning (Daily and monthly planning volumes).
(iii) MBV will issue a Vendor Material Release Document once a week or
daily. This is used for three (3) purposes:
(A) Provide suppliers and carriers with short and long term demand
plans;
(B) Provide suppliers and carriers with RANS for items to ship; and
(C) To update suppliers on RANS not yet received by MBV.
(iv) The material release will be transmitted by Electronic Data Interchange
(EDI) by data set 830. This should be acknowledged by a Functional Acknowledgment
(997).
(b) Inventory Control.
(i) The Advance Shipping Notice (ASN) information must be transmitted via
EDI within fifteen (15) minutes after a shipment has departed. A RAN cannot be split;
therefore, all shipments must be for complete RANS. A Receiving Discrepancy Report
(RDR) will be issued whenever the ASN information differs from the actual material
received. It is the Supplier's responsibility to arrange and pay for emergency material
shipment if required.
(ii) If the MBV Quality Assurance Department determines that a Supplier has
shipped defective material, the material will be shipped back collect and the material and
handling costs will be charged back to the Supplier. If replacement material is required, a
new RAN will be issued and premium freight will be the responsibility of the Supplier.
(iii) Supplier Performance Tracking (SPT) will monitor the performance of
delivering parts based on the following:
(A) Delivery of parts on time;
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(B) Receipt of timely and accurate ASNs;
(C) Receipt of complete RAN quantities on time;
(D) Proper documentation with shipments;
(E) Proper identification and labeling of parts; and
(F) Customer service issues.
(c) Broadcast System. Sequenced Suppliers must have a system that is able to
receive an FTP file over the phone line every 3.0 minutes on average. The system must
be able to cross reference from BC code to MBV part number, and have a degree of
maintainability that will allow the Supplier to maintain the BC code/part number
relationship. As a Vehicle is lifted to the assembly shop, the broadcast message is sent.
Suppliers are responsible for verifying that broadcast data is received, maintaining
inventory consistent with demand and relaying any problems to MBV immediately.
(d) Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
(A) MBV is using the Auto Industry Actions Group (AIAG) version
3050 sub-set of the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Accredited
Standard Committee (ASC) X12 Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards.
Supplier shall implement an EDI communication system with MBV that enables
it to comply with MBV’s EDI requirements and the eDocs Terms of Use attached
hereto as Attachment 4.
(B) When required by MBV and pursuant to eDocs Terms of Use
attached hereto, Supplier shall use the EDI and eDocs system as the means of
communication under the Agreement.
(C) Supplier shall identify an administrator for both the EDI system
and the eDocs system. Only the administrator named by the Supplier and
registered in MBV’s portal shall be entitled to enable or to deactivate EDI and
eDocs users for Supplier at any time.
(D) Even in the absence of electronic signatures, the parties agree that
the orders, decisions and commitments communicated by them over the EDI
system and the eDocs system shall be binding and shall be considered legally
valid. Offers and acceptances submitted electronically via the EDI system and the
eDocs system shall be legally binding upon the Supplier. Decisions and
commitments communicated by one of Supplier’s registered users shall constitute
binding confirmation of the acceptance of orders or sales agreements. Supplier
shall only grant employees and agents entitled to submit legally binding
declarations of intent authorized status to make those declarations via the EDI
system and the eDocs system. The user IDs and passwords created for the EDI
system and the eDocs system shall only be accessible to Supplier’s agents and
employees who are able to submit declarations of intent, offers and acceptances
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that are legally binding on Supplier. Supplier shall, and shall cause its employee
and agents to keep such IDs and passwords confidential. In the event Supplier
terminates its relationship with an employee or agent who has knowledge of such
an ID or password, Supplier shall immediately terminate that ID and/or password.
(E) Every process communicated via the EDI system and the eDocs
system, and particularly offers, acceptances and communications regarding the
Services shall be recorded and stored along with the identification of the user
creating it. This record shall be used exclusively as evidence of the content and
the fact that a party submitted a legally binding offer, acceptance or declaration of
intent.
(e) CAD; Data Exchange.
(i) CAD World.
(A) To ensure the technical processes, it is necessary to guarantee data
availability, data archiving and the exchange of Product descriptive CAD data
within the development department EBS of MBV and to the external partners.
(B) The objective is to ensure the availability, usability and
transparency of the necessary CAD data along the respective process chains. This
is required as basis for the realization of a digital mockup (DMU).
(C) The CATIA Native Format is obligatory for the development
processes (i.e., data platform). This format must correspond to the current
CATIA version used in Daimler Development in the MB-Passenger-Car Division.
(D) The release of CAD data takes place exclusively via the CATIA
Native Format.
(E) For release, the part must be described through space geometry
(skins or exact solids). Information which is not included in the space geometry
shall be documented in the derived drawing which belongs to the release.
Development Guidelines are available on the Engineering Portal described in Section
12.2(e)(ii)(A) below.
(ii) Data Exchange.
(A) Engineering Portal. Exchanging of CAD (product design) data is
handled through the engineering portal, found on the internet at
https://engineering.daimler.com. Guidelines and standards are also available at
this site, as well as links to many related sites, both internal and external to
Daimler. To gain access to the engineering portal, Supplier will use its internet-
connected browser to connect to the website listed above. Supplier must click on
the “Apply for Authorization” link to be prompted for information to apply for an
engineering portal (EngP) user-ID and password. The process for data exchange
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depends on whether Supplier has an Odette (OFTP) connection (which applies in
most cases to Suppliers whose product engineering is located in Europe), and
procedures for each are set forth below.
(B) Suppliers with Odette Connections. If Supplier has an OFTP
connection to Daimler, Supplier will exchange data with Daimler using
SWANdirect, which allows, for example, direct access to the Daimler Geometry
Information System. Details on this connection and contact information can be
found at: https://engineering.daimler.com/pub/e/dataexchange.htm.
(C) Suppliers without Odette Connections. If Supplier does not have a
direct OFTP connection, Supplier must do its data exchange via SWAN Web,
which is a secure, web-based system that allows Supplier to upload data and
download data sent to Supplier using a PC and an internet browser. Supplier will
need to have java 1.5.0 installed on the PC, which can be found at
http://java.sun.com/downloads/. The following steps should be taken to obtain
SWAN Web access:
(1) Supplier should apply for its EngP User ID in accordance with
Section 12(e)(ii)(A) above, which password should end in “.dc”.
(2) After obtaining its EngP User ID, Supplier must send an email to
[email protected], which email should include the new EngP User ID and request
SWAN Web access.
(3) If Supplier already has a SWAN Web contract in place, Supplier’s
EngP User ID will be added to its SWAN Web account. If Supplier is new to the SWAN Web
program, Supplier will receive a contract form to fill out and send in according to the
instructions, and such contract must be received in original paper form, signed in ink. Upon
receipt and processing of the contract, Supplier’s SWAN Web account will be established.
(4) Once Supplier’s SWAN Web account is created, the SWAN Web
support team will send Supplier a digital certificate to install into Supplier’s browser, along with
instructions as to such installation. Once the digital certificate is installed, Supplier should be
able to pick up its data at https://engineering-swan.daimler.com. Supplier will not be able to
reach this link without the digital certificate.
(f) Delivery Requirements.
(i) Delivery times specified are times of delivery of the Product and Service
Parts at the MBV designated place of delivery or destination.
(ii) Supplier agrees to take all actions necessary and appropriate to ensure that
its Product, Service Parts, or Services are received by MBV as required by the Agreement
and by any Purchase Order issued under the Agreement. Supplier shall inform MBV
promptly of any occurrence which shall or is reasonably expected to result in any
delivery at a time or in a quantity not specified in the Purchase Order. Supplier shall also
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advise MBV of corrective measures which Supplier is taking to minimize the effect of
such an occurrence.
(iii) If Supplier at any time requires or intends to change the location from
which Supplier shall ship the Product or Service Parts, Supplier must provide advance
notice to MBV in order that MBV may evaluate the proposed change and negotiate, as
necessary, regarding its effect on transit times, packaging methods, logistics costs, or
other provisions or implications. If Supplier does not notify MBV of any increased
transportation charges in advance of a change in shipping point, Supplier shall be
responsible for such increased costs.
(iv) In the event of tendered delivery not in compliance with the times and
quantities specified in the Purchase Order, unless caused by a Force Majeure Event: (A)
Supplier shall ship the Product or Service Parts at the earliest possible moment and by the
fastest practical means, but without any increase in any shipping costs to MBV, unless
MBV has given notice of cancellation as to the late Product and Service Parts, and (B) all
charges and expenses, including production changes, additional labor, additional
transportation charges, and cover resulting from the failure of Supplier to make delivery
in compliance with the times and quantities specified in the Purchase Order shall be
borne and paid by Supplier.
12.3 Transportation.
(a) Shipping and Routing Instructions. MBV may specify the carrier and/or method
of transportation. Shipment shall be routed in accordance with MBV instructions, and,
unless otherwise specified by MBV, shipment shall be delivered FOB MBV dock at
destination, freight prepaid at 8501 Palmetto Commerce Parkway, Ladson, South
Carolina, 29456. Supplier shall comply with all MBV transportation routing instructions,
including, but not limited to, mode of transportation, utilization of assigned carrier, and
identification of the shipping point. MBV may at any time, and from time to time, change
shipping schedules previously furnished to the Supplier, or direct temporary suspension
of scheduled shipments. Supplier shall be responsible for all excess costs incurred
because of its failure to comply with the MBV transportation instructions.
(b) Transportation Concept. MBV's transportation philosophy follows the general
concept of frequent deliveries, with the frequency generally determined by Supplier's
shipping location, volume and the cost of both the Product and transportation.
(i) In the case where MBV directly pays the carrier, Supplier must not
include any transportation cost in the part piece price. In the case where Supplier selects
and pays the carrier, Supplier shall identify as a separate line item the cost of
transportation in the piece price. This cost will be determined by allocating the actual cost
per shipment against the actual volume required by the part divided by the total volume
of the shipment. Assume a minimum of two deliveries per day, one per shift. Suppliers on
dedicated MBV routes must be capable of shipping 24 hours per day. Supplier must
originally quote both of these methods.
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(ii) In all instances in which Supplier provides the transportation, the
following conditions must be met:
(A) Supplier is responsible for obtaining a delivery window time from
MBV;
(B) Deliveries are to be made within the specified window time;
(C) Supplier is responsible for determining and guaranteeing the
carrier's transit time;
(D) Supplier's returnable containers are to be reloaded at the time of
delivery;
(E) MBV will not make allowances for early or late deliveries;
(F) Material release information will have to be supplied to the carrier
by the Supplier;
(G) The carrier must have a minimum of $5 million automotive
liability insurance and a minimum of $2 million general liability insurance. MBV
is to be named as additional insured; and
(H) The carrier must have a minimum of $500,000 all risk transit
insurance.
(iii) When Supplier is at fault for a specific mistake, it will be its responsibility
to arrange and pay for expedited shipments to MBV. It is strongly recommended that
Supplier use one of MBV's core carriers.
12.4 Packing and Marking.
(a) Bill of Lading (BOL) and Packing Slips. A BOL represents an agreement between
Supplier and carrier that the freight pallet quantity is correct and that the material is
damage free for pickup. A signed BOL represents the carrier’s liability for pallet quantity
and that the material was in good shipping condition when they picked it up. Whereas the
supplier is liable that the individual part quantity is correct and the material is in good
shipping condition. If the carrier is not allowed on Supplier’s dock, the carrier is to mark
on all of the BOLs Shipper Load & Count (SL&C); therefore Supplier is responsible for
the entire load (shortage and damage due to staging the material). Supplier shall pack and
mark the Product and Service Parts and make shipments (including shipping on Saturdays
and holidays, when requested) in accordance with MBV instructions, meet carrier
requirements, and assure delivery free of damage or deterioration. MBV reserves the
right to require packing slips for shipments of Product and Service Parts. If required, all
shipments of Product and Service Parts to the MBV plant must include two packing slips,
or four packing slips in the case of shipments directed to a consolidation point. Whenever
shipment is made by truck, Supplier shall enclose one of the packing slips (or packing
slip sets in the case of multiple item shipments) in an envelope, and Supplier shall record
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written instructions on the BOL directing the delivering driver to deliver the envelope to
the MBV traffic representative upon arrival at the MBV plant.
(b) Delays in Invoice Payment. MBV shall not be responsible for delays in the
payment of the invoices if the following requirements are not met: Invoices, packing
slips, and bills of lading must bear the MBV-assigned supplier code, Purchase Order
number, part number, Supplier's identification number, the requisition number on
quantity buys or the release number on blanket orders, the "Ship-to" address, MBV
assigned plant location code, "invoice-to" address, and whether containers used are
"returnable" or "non-returnable."
(c) Reimbursable Expenses and Rate Differentials. Supplier agrees to reimburse
MBV for all expenses incurred by MBV as a result of improper packing, marking, or
routing. If Supplier fails to ship the Product or Service Parts using the MBV designated
carrier and route, Supplier shall be liable for any rate differential for non-compliance.
(d) Count and Charges. The MBV count shall be accepted as final on all shipments.
Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing by MBV, no charge shall be made by
Supplier for containers, crating, boxing, bundling, dunnage, drayage, or storage.
(e) Returnable Packaging.
(i) In order to minimize waste and cost, a system of returnable containers
shall be put in place. Returnable containers include modular or unit load containers such
as plastic totes, structural foam bulk knock down bins, plastic pallets, and unique
containers such as racks, wire mesh baskets, carts and thermoformed tray packs. It is the
responsibility of Supplier to handle all prototype and final packaging development, which
includes interior designs to preserve part quality, racking systems, unique containers and
all associated testing requirements. Final packaging approval by MBV Logistics is
required before any orders are placed or containers are sent to MBV. MBV reserves the
right to reject or refuse the use of any packaging supplier. Suppliers can refer to the
packaging guidelines located in the Supplier Communication Guide for a detailed
description of the above information.
(ii) Returnable packaging is purchased, owned, maintained and 100% paid by
Supplier. It is Supplier’s responsibility to ensure that all returnable containers are free of
debris that would impact the quality of the material being packaged prior to loading with
MBV parts. Costs for the packaging shall be quoted as a separate line item included in
the piece price. Supplier will only be reimbursed for packaging pertaining to the
Logistics circulation as agreed to by MBV Packaging Group. The cost for additional
packaging required for equipment optimization, external processes, etc. will be borne by
Supplier even if the packaging is identical to the production packaging. Supplier will
only be reimbursed the amount quoted by the MBV preferred packaging supplier if such
quote is available. Supplier is required to submit to the responsible MBV Packaging
Specialist proof of order and receipt of all packaging including dunnage by part number.
Supplier must provide quotations when requested by MBV. Asset determination shall be
agreed upon between Supplier and MBV. Suppliers are required to maintain, clean,
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repair and replace packaging (including interiors) as required. Initial purchases should
anticipate loss and maintenance for the program life cycle. The cost to store excess or
repair material will be borne by Supplier. Supplier will be responsible to conform to the
packaging specifications provided by MBV. Packaging is being paid for by MBV
through piece price. MBV has the option to take ownership of the total fleet of returnable
containers at the price of $1.00 upon termination of the Agreement.
(f) Expendable Packaging. Expendable containers should be kept as a back-up for
emergency situations only. It shall represent the returnable container in size and part
quantity. Expandable packs must include telescopic lids and have hand holes if necessary.
Shipping of parts in back up containers requires prior approval from MBV. The cost to
store and furnish expendable back up packaging will be borne by the Supplier.
(g) Labeling. All containers require two shipping labels on adjacent sides. It is the
responsibility of Supplier to provide bar coded labels that meet customer and AIAG
standards. All labels are to be constructed of a coated thermal transfer or direct thermal
paper material and printed using thermal transfer, laser, or direct thermal. Dot matrix
labels will not be accepted. There are twelve required data areas for each label: Part
Number, ZGS (Engineering Change Level), Q-Level, Part Quantity, Supplier Number,
RAN Number, Staging Area, Lineside Location, Part Description, Storage Location,
Dock, and Serial Number. Additionally, there is a “Special Data Area” available for uses
not required by this document.
12.5 Location of Suppliers. Unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by MBV, just in time
Suppliers shall be located within 30 miles of MBV's assembly plant in Ladson, South Carolina,
and MBV approval of any production/sequencing location is required. Supplier represents and
agrees that it can and will carry out its obligations under this Agreement without investing any
amount for the acquisition of any real property, buildings, equipment, installation, furnishings, or
supplies which are not easily or reasonably utilized in other activities in which the Supplier is
normally involved, and without employing specially-trained personnel unless they can be fully
utilized in other activities in which the Supplier is normally involved.
SECTION 13: Inspection and Rejection
13.1 MBV may inspect and evaluate all Product or Service Parts (including all MBV Owned
Equipment, Amortized Supplier Equipment and Supplier MBV Equipment and all other tooling
and material used in their manufacture), and all Services at times and places designated by MBV.
All Product or Service Parts received are subject, at the option of MBV, to inspection by MBV
subsequent to arrival at the MBV premises or subsequent to the delivery date specified in the
Purchase Order, whichever occurs later. Payment by MBV for any Product or Service Parts does
not indicate or constitute acceptance and neither inspection nor payment shall relieve Supplier of
its responsibility to furnish conforming goods.
13.2 Supplier shall achieve ISO9001 and TS16949 accreditation prior to the commencement
of this Agreement. Supplier shall maintain ISO9001 and TS16949 certification throughout the
life of this Agreement. It is recommended that Supplier achieve and maintain C-TPAT
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certification. Supplier's plan shall be in compliance with the MBV Quality Manual and the
Source Package. Supplier shall promptly comply with any revisions to such manual, or its
successors. Supplier shall perform inspections as designated by MBV, and Supplier shall make
inspection systems, procedures, and records available to MBV upon request.
13.3 Except and only to the extent replaced by a particular specification or Supplier Quality
Assurance standard, the following shall apply to inspections of the Product and Service Parts or
any shipment, partial shipment, or other unit (whether or not a commercial unit) thereof:
(a) Inspection shall be in compliance with the terms and descriptions of the Purchase
Order and all Specifications applicable to the Product and Service Parts;
(b) Notwithstanding payment or any prior inspection, MBV may revoke acceptance
and reject the Product and Service Parts or require correction and return the Product and
Service Parts to the Supplier (at Supplier's expense and risk of loss) if any Product and
Service Parts delivered or Services rendered do not conform to applicable requirements;
(c) If MBV requires correction or cure of any non-conforming or defective Product
and Service Parts or delivery, MBV may instruct Supplier as to the means and methods of
cure or cover. If such instructions are given, Supplier shall deliver (at the earliest
possible moment and by the fastest practical means, but without any increase in shipping
costs to MBV) conforming substitutes or replacements for each defective or non-
conforming item or delivery of the Product and Service Parts. All defective or non-
conforming Product and Service Parts shall be returned pursuant to Supplier's instructions
at Supplier's expense, or, in the absence of such instructions within a reasonable time,
may be disposed of by MBV;
(d) Without limiting its remedies, after notice to Supplier, MBV may (i) replace or
correct any non-conforming Product and Service Parts or Services, and charge Supplier
the cost of such replacement or correction, logistics and administration fees (ii) cancel the
Purchase Order for default under Section 22 of the Agreement; (iii) subject Supplier's
account to a debit for the damages suffered by MBV, and/or (iv) cause the removal of
Supplier as an approved MBV supplier; and
(e) No inspection, tests, approval, or acceptance of Product and Service Parts ordered
shall relieve Supplier from liability for (i) defects or other failure to meet the
requirements of the Purchase Order, (ii) latent defects, or (iii) failure by Supplier to meet
its warranty obligations hereunder.
SECTION 14: Force Majeure Event
14.1 Supplier shall not be liable for delays or defaults in furnishing the Product and Service
Parts or Services hereunder, and MBV shall not be liable for failure to accept the Product and
Service Parts or Services hereunder, if such delays or failure on the part of either Party are due to
a Force Majeure Event. Upon the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event, the Supplier shall
immediately notify MBV of the occurrence and MBV may suspend performance for as long as
the Force Majeure Event continues.
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14.2 In the event that Supplier discovers any fact which may, or could with the passage of
time, result in a Force Majeure Event, Supplier (a) shall immediately advise MBV of such fact
and (b) shall do everything possible to take all measures and precautions in order to reduce the
effect of the Force Majeure Event upon the needs of MBV for the Product, Service Parts, and
Services. In addition, at any time at the request of MBV, Supplier shall furnish to MBV (c) such
information as MBV may request concerning matters the presence or absence of which could
result in delays, and (d) assurance or contingency plans with respect to those matters.
14.3 Supplier expressly acknowledges that a strike, lockout, or any labor disturbance shall not
be deemed a Force Majeure Event. Supplier shall notify MBV immediately of any actual or
potential labor dispute delaying or threatening to delay timely performance of the Agreement,
and shall include all relevant information to MBV. Supplier shall notify MBV in writing six (6)
months in advance of the expiration of any current labor contract. Prior to the expiration of any
labor contract of Supplier, Supplier shall establish, at its expense, a ninety (90) working day
supply of Product and/or Service Parts in a neutral warehouse site which shall not be affected by
the labor disturbance and which shall be located in the United States at least fifty (50) miles from
Supplier's manufacturing locations. Such supply of Product and/or Service Parts shall be in
place at least ten (10) working days prior to the expiration of any labor contract. Supplier shall
do everything possible to remain in a position to perform under the Agreement in case of any
strike, lockout, or any other labor disturbance affecting the due performance of the Agreement,
including such events affecting any sub-supplier and/or any other third party.
14.4 MBV shall, without any obligation to Supplier, be entitled to obtain the Products, Service
Parts, or Services from other sources for the duration of the inability of Supplier to perform due
to a delay in delivery, whether or not caused by a Force Majeure Event, and reduce the quantity
of the Product, Service Parts, or Services specified in existing Purchase Orders.
SECTION 15: MBV Intellectual Property/Work Product/Licensing
15.1 Except as otherwise agreed in the Development Agreement or in the other Contract
Documents:
(a) Supplier reserves and maintains exclusive rights to all Supplier Product
Intellectual Property Rights, which shall be the sole and exclusive property of Supplier
and shall be controlled exclusively by Supplier.
(b) MBV shall maintain exclusive rights to all MBV Intellectual Property, which
shall be the sole and exclusive property of MBV and shall be controlled solely by MBV,
except to the extent licensed herein.
(c) MBV hereby grants to Supplier a limited, nontransferable, nonexclusive right and
license to use the MBV Intellectual Property. Supplier shall have the right to use the
MBV Intellectual Property only to the extent necessary for Supplier to fulfill its
obligations under the Agreement, and for no other purpose whatsoever. MBV also grants
Supplier the right to sublicense the MBV Intellectual Property to its Lower Tier suppliers
only to the extent necessary to fulfill their obligations to Supplier in furtherance of
Supplier's obligations under the Agreement and subject to each sublicensee's written
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agreement to comply with all of the terms of this license to Supplier, and provided that
each sublicensee shall not have the right to grant additional sublicenses to the MBV
Intellectual Property. Upon termination or expiration of the Agreement for any reason,
all licenses and sublicenses in MBV Intellectual Property granted pursuant to this Section
15.1(c) shall terminate effective as of the date of termination or expiration of the
Agreement, or at the sole option of MBV, all sublicenses shall be assigned to MBV by
Supplier.
(d) Work Product.
(i) The Services, the media in which the Services are rendered or embodied,
and all products of the Services, including, without limitation, any MBV Intellectual
Property (the "Work Product"), created by or arising in Supplier shall belong exclusively
to MBV.
(ii) Supplier agrees that, to the extent possible, the Work Product is a "work
made for hire" for MBV, as such term is defined in 17 U.S.C. § 101, and that all
copyrights in such Work Product shall be, and are, owned solely, completely, and
exclusively by MBV. If for any reason the Work Product does not constitute a "work
made for hire," Supplier hereby assigns to MBV, all of Supplier's right, title, and interest
in and to the Work Product, including all MBV Intellectual Property. Supplier agrees to
execute all documents reasonably requested by MBV to further evidence the foregoing
assignment and to provide all reasonable assistance to MBV in perfecting or protecting
MBV's rights in the Work Product.
(e) All materials which Supplier, its Lower Tier suppliers or their sub-suppliers
prepare or develop specifically for MBV in the performance and completion of the
Services hereunder, including documents, calculations, programs, financial or accounting
information, maps, sketches, notices, reports, data, models and samples, and any and all
inventions and copyrightable material contained therein, shall become the exclusive
property of MBV, subject to Supplier's or its Lower Tier suppliers' rights to use the same
to perform the Services under the Agreement. Supplier agrees to execute all documents
and to take all steps requested by MBV, at MBV's expense, which MBV deems necessary
or desirable to complete and perfect MBV's said ownership and MBV's property rights in
said material.
15.2 Supplier represents and warrants that the Product and Service Parts sold hereunder shall
not infringe upon any United States and/or foreign patent and/or any other third party intellectual
property right. The Parties shall advise each other without undue delay when either Party
becomes aware of any third party intellectual property claim or right, if any, affecting the use of
the Product or Service Parts by MBV. As of the date of the Agreement, each Party represents
and warrants to the other that neither Party has any actual knowledge of any such third party
claim or right. The terms of this Section 15.2 shall survive the termination or expiration of the
Agreement.
15.3 In the event of any third party intellectual property claims affecting the use of the Product
or Service Parts by MBV and/or Daimler, (a) Supplier shall do everything possible to ensure that
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the Product or Service Parts shall be or remain available for the Vehicle; or (b) Supplier shall, at
its expense, either procure for MBV and/or Daimler the right to continue using the Product or
Service Parts; replace or modify the Product or Service Parts so that it becomes non-infringing;
and refund to MBV and/or Daimler the full purchase price of the alleged infringing goods; and
(c) to the extent restriction of such use cannot be avoided, Supplier shall, at its expense,
indemnify and hold harmless MBV and/or Daimler from and against any and all loss, damage,
expense, or liability (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) that may result by reason of
any such infringement or alleged infringement. Additionally, should any ancillary services be
provided as part of any transactions covered by the Agreement, and if such ancillary services are
deemed to constitute an intellectual property right or process, then Supplier hereby conveys and
grants to MBV and/or Daimler the exclusive right to such intellectual property right or rights.
The terms of this Section 15.3 shall survive the termination or expiration of the Agreement.
15.4 In the absence of the prior written agreement of Supplier, MBV and/or Daimler to the
contrary, all inventions, products, processes, apparatus, or designs, patentable or unpatentable,
conceived, invented, or originated by either Party prior to the date hereof shall remain the
property of that Party.
SECTION 16: Warranties
16.1 Supplier shall abide by, and shall pay the full cost and expense arising from the breach of,
any and all representations and warranties made by Supplier set forth in this Section 16.
Supplier shall comply with and abide by the procedures and other terms and conditions set forth
in the current version of the MBV Warranty Process, attached hereto as Attachment 7 (as may be
amended from time to time).
16.2 Supplier warrants and represents to MBV that all Product and Service Parts (a) shall
conform to the Specifications, drawings, samples, and other descriptions upon which any
Purchase Order issued under the Agreement is based, and shall be new, fit, and sufficient for the
purposes intended; (b) shall be merchantable, and (c) shall be free from defects in material and
workmanship in each case as extended by MBV or Daimler (or in agreement for the account of
MBV or Daimler) to Vehicle purchasers or users, from time to time in the respective markets, for
48 months unless applicable law requires the warranty period to be different. An Emission
Warranty of 8 years in accordance with the applicable law will apply.
16.3 Supplier further warrants that, on delivery, MBV shall receive good title to the Product
and Service Parts, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.
16.4 The warranties set forth in Sections 16.2 and 16.3 above are in addition to any warranties
express or implied by law or equity or otherwise made by Supplier, and shall survive acceptance
and payment by MBV and termination of the Agreement.
16.5 Supplier acknowledges that the warranties set forth in this Section 16 extend to all
Product or Service Parts, notwithstanding the fact that such Product and/or Service Parts may be
produced by any of Supplier's Lower Tier suppliers, including, without limitation, Directed
Lower Tier suppliers, and, therefore, the warranties and other provisions of this Section 16 shall
not be disclaimed or otherwise limited in any way due to the fact that any Product or Service
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Parts have been produced by one of Supplier's Lower Tier suppliers, including, without
limitation, Directed Lower Tier suppliers.
16.6 The warranties set forth in Sections 16.2, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.5 hereof (a) shall run to
MBV, Daimler, their customers and users of their products; (b) shall be in compliance with all
applicable laws and regulations as to form and content, and shall be furnished in copies and in a
manner sufficient to permit MBV, Daimler, Suppliers, and retail sellers to comply with
applicable laws and regulations; (c) shall not limit in any way other warranty or other
representations of Supplier to MBV or Daimler; and (d) shall conform to warranty handling
procedures adopted by MBV or Daimler, where appropriate.
16.7 Supplier has provided complete information concerning the handling, use, storage, and
function of the Product and Service Parts, including descriptions, instructions, cautions, and
warnings, if applicable, on actual or potential dangers in the use or misuse of the Product or
Service Parts, necessary or advisable for MBV to provide to the users of the Product or Service
Parts.
16.8 Supplier shall pay the full cost and expense of any warranty claim resulting from a
defective or deficient part of any Product and/or Service Parts as covered by the MBV/Daimler
warranty to MBV in Sections 16.2, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.5 hereof, and in accordance with the
current version of the MBV Warranty Process. MBV claims for reimbursement and
corresponding payments by Supplier shall be processed in line with the scheme MBV has
established from time to time in relation to its suppliers.
16.9 Supplier, at its expense, (including, without limitation, costs of removal, packing,
transportation, and reinstallation), agrees to promptly replace or correct defects of any Product,
Service Parts, or Services not conforming to the warranties herein, when notified of such
nonconformity by MBV. In the event Supplier fails to promptly correct defects in, or replace,
nonconforming Product or Service Parts, MBV, after reasonable notice to Supplier, may make
such corrections or replace such Product, Service Parts, and Services, and charge Supplier for
costs of materials, labor, transportation, or other costs incurred by MBV. In addition to any other
remedies it may have, MBV may reject nonconforming Product and return it to Supplier at
Supplier's expense; provided, however, that nonconforming Product or Service Parts may not be
replaced without the written authorization of MBV.
16.10 Supplier shall comply and shall cause all Product and Service Parts to comply, with all
applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, orders, and association and other
standards applicable to the manufacture, labeling, transportation, licensing, approval, or
certification thereof. If applicable to the Product and Service Parts, Supplier shall certify in
writing such compliance at the request of MBV. Supplier agrees to take all steps necessary to
remove from the MBV facilities any materials provided under a Purchase Order that do not
comply with any federal, state, or local laws, rules, regulations, or standards relating to the
environment or safety.
16.11 Whenever Supplier becomes aware that any component of the Product or Service Parts
are or may become harmful to persons or property, or that the design or construction of the
Product or Service Parts is defective in any manner which is or may become harmful to persons
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or property, Supplier shall immediately give notice thereof, including all relevant information
with respect thereto, to MBV and Daimler.
16.12 Supplier has obtained, or shall obtain, any required approvals by any government or
governmental agency for the sale or use of the Product or Service Parts, as applicable from time
to time, and Supplier shall furnish MBV with copies or other satisfactory evidence of all such
approvals. MBV, at its sole option, may obtain or assist Supplier in obtaining such approvals.
16.13 Supplier also warrants that no part of any Product, Service Parts, goods, or Services
provided under the Agreement shall contain any traces of silicone (any of a large class of
polymers of R2SiO where R is a hydrocarbon).
16.14 Supplier warrants that the prices for the articles sold to MBV hereunder are no less
favorable than Supplier currently extends to any other customer for the same or similar Product,
Service Parts, or Services in similar quantities. If Supplier reduces its prices to others for the
same or similar Product, Service Parts, or Services during the term of any Purchase Order,
Supplier shall reduce the prices to MBV for such Product, Service Parts, or Services to the same
extent. Supplier warrants that prices shown on each Purchase Order are complete, and that no
additional charges of any type shall be added without the express prior written consent of MBV.
16.15 If Supplier sells any Product and/or Service Parts covered by any Purchase Order to a
third party for incorporation into an assembly which is to be sold to MBV, the price for such
Product and/or Service Parts shall be no more than the price provided in the Purchase Order, plus
any additional costs actually incurred by Supplier in providing the Product and/or Service Parts
to such third party.
16.16 The warranties and representations contained in this Section 16 are specifically for the
benefit of MBV, DAG, and any entity claiming by or through MBV or DAG.
16.17 The MBV warranty claim has the following five (5) basic elements, which represent the
total expense to the Vehicle incurred by the MBUSA retailer:
(a) Labor: The standard repair time to replace or repair a failed part, based on the
MBUSA Vehicle Time Guide, multiplied by the average labor rate.
(b) Parts: Replacement parts purchased by the MBUSA retailer from the
MBUSA/Parts Distribution Center or Daimler Global Logistics Center at landed cost.
(c) Parts Handling: A parts handling charge for administration and handling of
defective parts is paid to the MBUSA retailer.
(d) Sublet: Repairs or services not provided by the MBUSA retailer (e.g., machine
shop, paint shop, etc.).
(e) Indirect Cost: Consequential damages, e.g., damage caused to other components
as result of the defective part (e.g., heater core leak damages the interior). Consequential
damages include also the cost for mobility (e.g., loaner cars).
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SECTION 17: Product Liability
17.1 Notwithstanding any other provision in the Agreement, Supplier shall indemnify and hold
harmless MBV, Daimler, and any authorized distributor of the Vehicle against all claims,
liabilities, losses and damages (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) asserted against or
incurred by MBV, Daimler and/or any authorized distributor of the Vehicle, on the basis of
product liability, including, without limitation, consequential damages and lost profits arising
from a Recall Campaign, regardless of the legal ground therefor, to the extent a product liability
claim relates to or arises out of a given or alleged defect in any Product and/or Service Parts.
SECTION 18: Service Parts
18.1 MBV and/or its sales and service organization shall service the Product and Service Parts
in the scope of its customer service. Supplier shall provide the necessary technical assistance as
needed from time to time, commencing with a proposal for a remanufacture and replacement
program for the Product and Service Parts. To the extent of exclusive delivery to MBV as
provided for in Section 3.3 above, MBV/Daimler shall have exclusive rights for servicing the
Product and distributing Service Parts therefor.
18.2 Supplier shall be obligated to supply MBV with Service Parts for the Product and the
MBV service and warranty requirements for a period of fifteen (15) years after the termination or
expiration of the Agreement, including any renewal term, or for such longer time as may be
required by MBV after the final Purchase Order has been filled. The price of the part for the
MBV service requirements shall be the price provided in the applicable Purchase Order, plus
costs actually incurred for special packaging.
18.3 If any Service Part is no longer required for MBV's Vehicle production, then the price of
the part for MBV service requirements shall be no greater than the last price stated in the
applicable Purchase Order for the part no longer required for Vehicle production for a period of
three (3) years after end of production, plus any additional costs actually incurred by Supplier for
special packaging. After the end of the three-year period Supplier must fully document any
request for price adjustments due to the production of fewer units. Supplier will document all
requests for price adjustments, including, but not limited to, machine productivity, scrap
allowance, labor inefficiencies and excess raw material requirements, to MBV´s reasonable
satisfaction (Open-Book-Policy).
SECTION 19: Recall Campaign
19.1 In the event MBV and/or Daimler determine that a Recall Campaign is necessary to
remedy a breach of Supplier's warranty or to comply with law, regulations, orders, or other
government requirements, the full cost and expense of such campaign shall be borne by Supplier,
unless Supplier proves that there was no defect or deficiency in the Product and/or Service Parts,
as the case may be.
SECTION 20: Status and Financial Reporting by Supplier/Bankruptcy
20.1 In order to anticipate problems and minimize disruption, Supplier grants to MBV the
right, at all reasonable times, to full and complete access to its books and records concerning the
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following: (a) Supplier's general financial solvency; (b) Supplier's ability to pay its debts as they
come due; (c) all actual, threatened and asserted consensual liens, non-consensual liens and
interests in or to any MBV Owned Equipment, Amortized Supplier Equipment, Supplier MBV
Equipment, MBV Intellectual Property or Work Product (or tangible embodiments thereof) or
any other personal property, real property, inventory, intellectual property, plat or equipment
being used or intended to be used, in whole or in part, to produce Products, Service Parts, tools,
dies and/or jigs for MBV; (d) any labor or employment issues that might result in the slowing or
stoppage of Supplier's production of Products and/or Service Parts for MBV; (e) any action by
any government, taxing authority or administrative agency that might result in the slowing or
stoppage of Supplier's production of Products and/or Service Parts for MBV; and (f) anything
else that might result in the slowing or stoppage of Supplier's production of Products and/or
Service Parts for MBV. Supplier shall pay to MBV an audit fee, not to exceed $10,000 annually,
to the extent MBV pays a third-party to obtain or review some or all of this information.
Moreover, Supplier shall require each of its Lower Tier sub-suppliers and their sub-suppliers
(and so on) to grant MBV the same rights as set forth in this Section 20.1 of the Agreement,
which shall be included in the Lower Tier Acknowledgment and Waiver in accordance with the
provisions of Section 38 hereof. Supplier agrees to promptly provide its relevant financial
information to MBV from time to time upon request utilizing MBV’s Financial Quick Check
form or other document as applicable.
20.2 If and when MBV so requests, Supplier shall immediately, upon notice from MBV,
assume and assign its contracts with sub-suppliers to MBV or any other person or entity that
MBV so designates. Further, Supplier shall not contest any motion by MBV to lift such stay in
order that MBV may obtain possession and control of any sub-supplier special tooling and
equipment in the possession of Supplier, if the special tooling and equipment is required to
continue the performance of the Agreement by MBV as a third-party beneficiary of the sub-
supplier contracts.
SECTION 21: Term of Agreement
21.1 The Agreement shall enter into force on the earliest date of the following events to occur:
(a) issuance by MBV of a Scope of Work to source the Product with the Supplier; or (b) issuance
of any Purchase Order for tooling and/or for any Product or Service Part and shall continue for
the program production life of the Vehicle (plus an additional 15 years with respect to Service
Parts, as provided in Section 18), unless earlier terminated in accordance with Section 22 below.
SECTION 22: Remedies/Termination
22.1 MBV shall have all remedies available to it provided by each of contract (including,
without limitation, the Agreement and all other Contract Documents), statute, common law and
otherwise, and all of MBV's remedies are cumulative. The exercise of one remedy by MBV
does not restrict the exercise of any other remedies by MBV.
22.2 Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, MBV may terminate the
Agreement and/or any Purchase Order issued under the Agreement at any time with or without
cause in whole or in part by written notice, whereupon Supplier shall stop work on the date and
to the extent specified in such notice, and terminate all orders and subcontracts that relate to the
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Agreement and/or the terminated Purchase Order. In such case, MBV shall have no liability
with respect to goods or components procured, or worked on, or supplies partially fabricated, in
excess of the authority contained in this Section 22.2. Upon termination pursuant to this Section
22.2, Supplier shall submit all claims resulting from such termination within thirty days after
receipt of the termination notice. MBV shall have the right to verify such claims by auditing the
relevant records, facilities, work, or materials of Supplier and/or its subcontractors. MBV shall
pay Supplier for finished work accepted by MBV, as well as for the documented cost to Supplier
of work in process and raw materials allocable to the terminated work which are not in excess of
any prior MBV authorization. Payment made under this Section 22.2 shall constitute the only
liability of MBV for termination under the Agreement, with title and right of possession to all
delivered goods and services vesting in MBV immediately upon tender of payment by MBV.
The provisions of this Section 22.2 shall not apply to any cancellation by MBV for default by
Supplier. In no event shall MBV be liable for prospective or anticipated profits by reason of
such termination, and Supplier shall not assert any claim for loss of prospective or anticipatory
profits or consequential damages under any circumstances.
22.3 If MBV has decided to cancel all activities with respect to the Project, MBV shall be
liable to Supplier only for tooling costs incurred by Supplier up to the applicable maximum
amount specified in the applicable Purchase Orders issued for the respective tools.
22.4 Supplier acknowledges that, in entering into the Agreement, MBV shall become entirely
dependent upon Supplier for the timely production of samples and prototypes of the Product, for
the potential supply of the Product, for the potential supply of Service Parts relating to the
Product, and for the production by MBV of the Vehicle in accordance with the schedules
contemplated in the Agreement. Supplier further recognizes that failure to timely and fully
perform its obligations hereunder may affect the viability of the Project, or the manufacturing of
the Vehicle, and that MBV shall suffer substantial losses and damages which cannot be
measured solely in monetary terms. Supplier, therefore, expressly agrees that MBV shall have
the immediate right to compel specific performance of the Agreement by Supplier, or
alternatively, to terminate the Agreement upon written notice to Supplier under Section 22.2
above, if Supplier (a) fails to meet any key milestone for the development of the Product and
such failure continues for more than 10 days beyond such milestone date; (b) fails to deliver
goods or perform services at the times specified herein; (c) fails to perform any other provision
hereof and fails to cure such failure within a period of 10 days after receipt of written notice from
MBV specifying such failure; (d) ceases doing business as a going concern, admits in writing its
inability to perform its obligations under the Agreement as and when due, becomes insolvent,
makes an assignment in favor of creditors, or enters bankruptcy or dissolution proceedings; (e) is
merged into another company and/or is expropriated or nationalized; or (f) furnishes any
certificate, statement, representation or warranty that proves to be false in any material respect.
In any such event, MBV may cancel the whole or any part of the Agreement without any
liability, except for payment due for Product, Service Parts, or Services delivered and accepted.
Upon such breach, MBV shall have the right, on notice to Supplier, to take title to and possession
of all or any part of such work performed by Supplier under any Purchase Order issued under the
Agreement. In addition, in any such event MBV shall be entitled to recover from Supplier all
losses, expenses, and damages, including attorney's fees, costs, and incidental and consequential
damages which MBV may suffer as a result of such default by Supplier.
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22.5 In the event Supplier fails to provide MBV with Product as defined herein that meets the
Quality and Performance Standards set forth by MBV or otherwise, MBV may terminate the
Agreement or seek any additional reasonable remedies for Supplier's continued failure to meet
quality standards as expressed to Supplier in documents including, but not limited to, the
Supplier Quality Assurance Manual.
22.6 If the Agreement is terminated by MBV or if Supplier is otherwise in default under the
Agreement, or if MBV, in its exclusive judgment, determines that Supplier is unable or soon will
be unable to deliver timely all of the Product and/or Service Parts needed by MBV, MBV may
exercise all rights and remedies available under applicable law and under the Agreement,
specifically including, without limitation, the right to take possession immediately (without the
necessity of posting a bond) of all MBV Owned Equipment, Amortized Supplier Equipment,
Supplier MBV Equipment and all tangible embodiments of MBV Intellectual Property or Work
Product in any medium whatsoever and to remove the same from Supplier's premises or
wherever the MBV Owned Equipment, Amortized Supplier Equipment, Supplier MBV
Equipment or any tangible embodiment of MBV Intellectual Property or Work Product may be
located. Supplier shall cooperate with and assist MBV in connection with its exercise of the
foregoing rights and shall in no event seek to oppose or interfere with the exercise by MBV of
such rights. To the extent Supplier MBV Equipment is multi-use equipment (i.e., used for more
than the Services performed hereunder) and cannot be removed from Supplier’s facility or
wherever such Supplier MBV Equipment may be located, MBV shall have the right to use such
Supplier MBV Equipment on the Supplier’s premises or wherever such Supplier MBV
Equipment is located. MBV shall have access, which access is hereby granted by Supplier, to all
Lower Tiers and the right to direct, control and complete all work being performed by all Lower
Tiers. In any such event, MBV shall be entitled to recover from Supplier all losses, expenses,
and damages, including attorney's fees and costs and incidental and consequential damages
which MBV may suffer as a result of such default by Supplier. In this regard, MBV's cost
incurred in breaking down, packing, moving, and reassembling the MBV Owned Equipment,
Amortized Supplier Equipment, Supplier MBV Equipment and/or tangible embodiments of
MBV Intellectual Property or Work Product in order that the MBV Owned Equipment may be
used by MBV or its assignee shall constitute recoverable damages.
22.7 If the Agreement is terminated by MBV or if Supplier is otherwise in default under the
Agreement, or if MBV, in its exclusive judgment, determines that Supplier is unable or soon will
be unable to deliver timely all of the Product and/or Service Parts needed by MBV, then, to
enable MBV to have an uninterrupted supply of Product and/or Service Parts from which to
assemble and manufacture the Vehicle, Supplier hereby grants to MBV the right to operate or to
have a third party operate one or more lines of production at Supplier's facilities to assemble and
manufacture the Product and/or Service Parts that MBV needs to assemble and manufacture the
Vehicle on a timely basis without interruption to MBV's production of the Vehicle. Supplier
agrees that to manufacture the Product and/or Service Parts pursuant to this Section 22.7, it will
provide MBV unfettered access to an entire production line or lines, which shall include, without
limitation, access to equipment, employees, energy sources, raw materials, inventory, and the
like (whether or not MBV has an interest in such items). MBV shall be entitled to an immediate
court order granting MBV the operating rights set forth in this Section 22.7. MBV shall be
entitled to operate such line or lines of production in its own name, or through a contractor or a
court appointed receiver or trustee. MBV shall be responsible for paying all of the actual costs
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of running the line or lines of production (such as wages, raw materials, inventory costs and
energy costs), and MBV may (but is not required to) pay such amounts directly to the party
providing the labor, inventory, services or energy; provided, however, that in no event shall
MBV be responsible for paying Supplier's routine costs or overhead. Furthermore, MBV may
elect to set off any payments due pursuant to this Section 22.7 against those amounts owed by
Supplier to MBV.
22.8 In order to enable MBV to continue with the manufacture of the Product and Service
Parts in the event MBV takes possession of the MBV Owned Equipment, Amortized Supplier
Equipment, Supplier MBV Equipment and/or tangible embodiments of MBV Intellectual
Property or Work Product pursuant to any Section of the Agreement, Supplier shall ensure in its
contracts with its sub-suppliers (including any Lower Tiers) that such contracts can be assigned
to MBV. Furthermore, Supplier shall ensure in its contracts with sub-suppliers (including any
Lower Tiers) that, in the event of termination under any Section of the Agreement, Supplier may
take possession of the sub-supplier's special tooling and equipment and assign such special
tooling and equipment to MBV as a third party beneficiary. To the extent the sub-supplier
special tooling is multi-use equipment (i.e., used for more purposes than in connection with the
Services provided hereunder) and cannot be removed from the sub-supplier’s facility, Supplier
shall ensure that Supplier and/or MBV shall have the right to use such sub-supplier special
tooling and equipment on the sub-supplier’s premises or wherever such sub-supplier special
tooling and equipment is located.
22.9 MBV may at any time and without notice deduct or set-off or recoup Supplier's claims
for money due or to become due from MBV or any affiliate of MBV (including, without
limitation, Daimler and DAG) against any claims that MBV or any affiliate (including, without
limitation, DAG) of MBV has or may have arising out of this or any other transaction. These
rights of set-off and recoupment apply equally in any court proceeding, including a
determination of how much money Supplier might be owed on a bonded indebtedness.
Moreover, to the extent that MBV has a set-off or recoupment claim or defense against Supplier,
the amount of money subject to such claim or defense shall not be owed by MBV to Supplier.
22.10 All of MBV's remedies hereunder shall survive the termination of the Agreement.
Moreover, to the extent provisions of the Agreement are intended to survive any expiration or
termination of the Agreement, these provisions shall remain in effect accordingly.
22.11 All rights granted to MBV in this Section 22 shall be acknowledged by Supplier's Lower
Tier sub-suppliers (and their sub-suppliers, and so on) pursuant to the Lower Tier
Acknowledgement and Waiver required under Section 38 of the Agreement.
SECTION 23: Possession of MBV Owned Equipment
23.1 At any point during the term of the Agreement, MBV shall have the right to immediate
possession of any of the MBV Owned Equipment (regardless of whether fully paid for by MBV),
Amortized Supplier Equipment, Supplier MBV Equipment and/or any tangible embodiment of
MBV Intellectual Property or Work Product in any medium whatsoever, regardless of the
location of such MBV Owned Equipment, Amortized Supplier Equipment, Supplier MBV
Equipment and/or tangible embodiment of MBV Intellectual Property or Work Product, and to
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remove the same from Supplier's premises or wherever the MBV Owned Equipment, Amortized
Supplier Equipment, Supplier MBV Equipment and/or tangible embodiment of MBV Intellectual
Property or Work Product, as the case may be, may be located. To the extent Supplier MBV
Equipment is multi-use equipment (i.e., used for more than the Services performed hereunder)
and cannot be removed from Supplier’s facility or wherever such Supplier MBV Equipment may
be located, MBV shall have the right to use such Supplier MBV Equipment on the Supplier’s
premises or wherever such Supplier MBV Equipment is located. If demanded by Supplier,
MBV will post a bond contemporaneously with MBV removing such MBV Owned Equipment,
MBV Owned Equipment, Amortized Supplier Equipment, Supplier MBV Equipment and/or
tangible embodiment of MBV Intellectual Property or Work Product, but only if (i) the
Agreement has not been terminated, (ii) Supplier is not in default hereunder, (ii) MBV, in its
exclusive judgment, has not determined that Supplier is unable or soon will be unable to deliver
timely all of the Product and/or Service Parts needed by MBV. The bond amount will be equal
to the cost of the MBV Owned Equipment, Amortized Supplier Equipment, Supplier MBV
Equipment and/or tangible embodiment of MBV Intellectual Property or Work Product, as
evidenced by the purchase price paid by MBV pursuant to Section 6.2 above, less any amounts
which may have already been paid for such MBV Owned Equipment, Amortized Supplier
Equipment, Supplier MBV Equipment and/or tangible embodiment of MBV Intellectual
Property or Work Product.
23.2 MBV's rights pursuant to Section 23.1 above shall be included in the Lower Tier
Acknowledgment and Waiver contemplated by Section 38 hereof.
SECTION 24: Indemnity
24.1 Supplier shall indemnify and hold harmless MBV against all claims, liabilities, losses,
expenses, fees, and other damages in connection with (a) any breach by Supplier of the
Agreement; (b) for injury or death of any person; (c) for any and all disposition of any and all
wastes, hazardous and/or non-hazardous, generated as a result of any processing for prototype or
pre-production trial or any other process or Product generated as a result of the relationship with
MBV; and (d) for damage or loss of any property in each case allegedly or actually resulting
from, or arising out of, any act, omission, or negligence of Supplier or its employees, agents, or
subcontractors in connection with performing any aspect of the Agreement, including, without
limitation, any claim or defect or alleged defect in the design, materials, manufacture or sale of
the Product, Service Parts or Services, and/or any claim, damage or loss relating to computer
programs or computer related dates, whether Supplier, its affiliates, employees, or agents are or
are not negligent.
24.2 In the event that any claims, demands, or lawsuits are made or brought against MBV or
Daimler relating to the Product or Service Parts in connection with Supplier Specifications or
relating to the trade name, trademarks, copyrights or patents in connection with the
manufacturing process, and/or based upon unfair competition by reason of sale or use of the
Product or Service Parts by MBV or Daimler, Supplier shall indemnify and hold harmless MBV
and Daimler against all actions brought against MBV or Daimler, pay all costs of any lawsuit,
including reasonable legal fees and expenses, and indemnify and hold harmless MBV or Daimler
for any cost incurred by MBV or Daimler in connection therewith.
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If Supplier's work under any Purchase Order issued under the Agreement involves operations by
Supplier on the premises of MBV, Supplier shall take all necessary precautions to prevent the
occurrence of any injury to person or property during the progress of such work and will, upon
written request of the MBV Safety Department, provide information concerning its Experience
Modification Rates (EMR), OSHA rates, a description of any serious or fatal injury to any of the
employees within the preceding year, and a copy of its written Safety Plan. Supplier agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless MBV against all liabilities, claims, or demands for injuries or
damage to any property or person including, without limitation, any employees, agents, or
representatives of Supplier, growing out of such performance, and to pay MBV's reasonable
legal costs and expenses in connection therewith.
24.3 Supplier shall provide worker's compensation, comprehensive general liability,
automobile, public liability, and property damage insurance in amounts and coverages sufficient
to cover all claims hereunder, with insurers acceptable to MBV. Such policies shall name MBV
as an additional insured thereunder and shall contain endorsements stating that the policies are
primary and not excess over or contributory with any other valid, applicable, and collectible
insurance in force for MBV. MBV may require Supplier to furnish evidence of the foregoing
insurance, but failure to comply with these insurance requirements does not relieve Supplier of
its liability and obligation under this Section 24.4.
24.4 Except as provided herein, in the event of any suit, claim, threatened claim, or
notification of a claim which may be the subject of indemnification provided for in this Section
24, the Party receiving such notification shall provide prompt written notice thereof to the other
Party.
24.5 The provisions of this Section 24 shall survive the termination or expiration of the
Agreement.
SECTION 25: Confidentiality
25.1 Confidentiality Obligations
(a) Any and all Proprietary Information which is disclosed by one Party (the
“Disclosing Party”) to any other Party (the “Receiving Party”) pursuant to or in
connection with the Project, shall be held in confidence by the Receiving Party as and to
the extent provided herein, provided, however, that for purposes hereof, the Receiving
Party in the case of MBV shall be deemed to include Daimler, and any other of its
affiliated companies. However, notwithstanding the preceding, there is no obligation on
the part of MBV to deem information provided by Supplier to be other than public and
nonproprietary, or to take other than reasonable precautions concerning its confidentiality
and/or disclosure, unless Supplier gives MBV and/or Daimler specific written notice of
any such Proprietary Information (and of any license or other agreement relating to the
use or dissemination thereof) embodied in the Product or Service Parts prior to delivery
thereof.
(b) The Proprietary Information transmitted to Supplier by MBV in connection with
the performance of any Purchase Order is the property of MBV and may be covered by
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one or more MBV or Daimler patents, patent applications, or copyrights. Supplier shall
handle all Proprietary Information in such a manner to ensure that it is not used for any
purpose detrimental to the interests of MBV or Daimler. Supplier shall secure written
approval from MBV before any Proprietary Information relating to any Purchase Order
(other than relating to Supplier’s own standard commercial items) are released to anyone
other than those requiring the Proprietary Information for the performance of work under
any Purchase Order issued under the Agreement. Supplier shall (in the absence of a
written mutual agreement for its use for other purposes) use the Proprietary Information
only for the purpose of filling a Purchase Order issued under the Agreement. If the
Proprietary Information is in written, graphic, or other tangible form, it shall be returned
to MBV promptly at its request.
25.2 Protection. Subject to Section 25.3 below:
(a) Proprietary Information shall be protected by the Receiving Party with the same
degree of care as the Receiving Party uses to protect its own proprietary or confidential
information.
(b) Proprietary Information may be used by the Receiving Party only for the purposes
of the Agreement.
(c) Proprietary Information shall not be disclosed to others by the Receiving Party
without the prior written consent of the Disclosing Party.
(d) Disclosure of Proprietary Information by one Party to the other shall not convey
any rights in such Proprietary Information to the Receiving Party other than as expressly
set forth in the Agreement.
(e) To the extent represented by or in samples, writings, drawings or other tangibles,
Proprietary Information shall be returned to the Disclosing Party simultaneously with the
termination under the Agreement or at any time upon demand.
25.3 Exceptions to Confidentiality Obligation. Nothing herein shall affect any Party’s right to
use or disclose to others any and all information which is now or subsequently:
(a) in the public domain other than as a result of any breach of any obligation under
the Agreement by the Party seeking to use or disclose the information;
(b) known to the Receiving Party prior to its disclosure to the Receiving Party by the
Disclosing Party, other than as a result of a breach of a duty of confidentiality owed to the
Disclosing Party.
(c) disclosed to the Receiving Party by a third party without breach of a duty of
confidentiality owed to the Disclosing Party and known to the Supplier, and disclosed by
Supplier to MBV in advance in writing; or required to be disclosed by applicable law,
legal process, or in connection with any judicial process or other proceedings between the
Parties to the extent necessary for a Party to present fairly its position.
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25.4 The confidentiality obligations set forth in this Section 25 and elsewhere in this
Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement indefinitely.
SECTION 26: Taxes
26.1 Product and Service Parts.
(a) Supplier shall pay any and all personal property taxes and/or ad valorem taxes
assessed or otherwise levied against Product and Service Parts while in the hands of
Supplier.
26.2 MBV Owned Equipment.
(a) As the user of the MBV Owned Equipment, Supplier shall pay sales or use tax
upon its purchase of MBV Owned Equipment. Supplier will not be reimbursed for such
sales or use tax and such cost shall not be included in the cost of the MBV Owned
Equipment. Upon a request from MBV, Supplier shall provide proof of payment of sales
and use tax arising upon Supplier's purchase of the MBV Owned Equipment. Supplier
shall not charge or collect sales tax upon Supplier's sale of the MBV Owned Equipment
to MBV.
(b) From and after the MBV Owned Equipment Title Transfer Date, MBV shall file
all personal property tax returns with the appropriate taxing jurisdiction where the MBV
Owned Equipment is located. From and after the MBV Owned Equipment Title Transfer
Date, MBV will pay the personal property taxes arising on the MBV Owned Equipment
and the cost associated with such payments of tax shall reduce MBV's price for Product
and Service Parts as provided in Section 9.6(c).
SECTION 27: Notices
27.1 Unless advised otherwise in writing by the pertinent Party, any notice or other
communications made or required to be made pursuant to the Agreement shall be in writing,
must be in English (which is preferred, consistent with Section 2.2 of the Agreement) or German,
and shall be addressed as follows:
As to MBV: Daimler Vans Manufacturing
8501 Palmetto Commerce Parkway
Ladson, South Carolina 29456 USA
Attention: CEO
As to Supplier: Supplier's Most Current Address
On File With MBV
and shall be deemed duly given on the date received by the addressee.
SECTION 28: Relationship
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28.1 Neither Supplier nor its subcontractors, or the employees or agents of them, shall be
deemed to be MBV employees, or agents, it being understood that Supplier and its
subcontractors are independent contractors for all purposes and at all times, and Supplier shall be
wholly responsible for withholding or payment of all federal, state and local income and other
payroll taxes with respect to its employees, including contributions from them, and as required
by law.
SECTION 29: Gratuities
29.1 With respect to and in connection with the Agreement or otherwise with Supplier’s
relationship with MBV, Supplier shall desist and refrain from all practices which may lead to
penal liability due to fraud or embezzlement, insolvency crimes, crimes in violation of
competition, guaranteeing advantages, bribery, acceptance of bribes or other corruption crimes
on the part of persons employed by Supplier or other third parties. MBV may, by notice to
Supplier, immediately terminate the right of Supplier to proceed or continue under the
Agreement if it is found that gratuities (in the form of entertainment, gifts, or otherwise), were
offered or given by Supplier, or any agent or representative of Supplier, to any officer or
employee of MBV for the purpose of securing the Agreement or securing favorable treatment
with respect to the awarding, or the making of any determinations with respect to the
performance of the Agreement. In the event the Agreement is terminated as provided in this
Section 29.1, MBV shall be entitled to pursue the same remedies against Supplier as it could
pursue in the event of a breach of the Agreement by Supplier. The rights and remedies of MBV
provided in this or any other Section shall not be exclusive and are in addition to any other rights
and remedies provided by law and equity or under the Agreement. The above notwithstanding,
the Supplier is obliged to adhere to all laws and regulations applicable to both itself and the
commercial relationship with MBV.
SECTION 30: Enforcement and Severability
30.1 The rights and remedies herein reserved to MBV are cumulative and in addition to any
other or further rights and remedies available at law or in equity. The failure of MBV at any
time to enforce any of the provisions of the Agreement or any right with respect thereto, or to
exercise any option herein provided, shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of such
provisions, rights, or options or in any way to affect the validity of the Agreement. In the event
that any one or more of the provisions contained herein shall for any reason be held to be invalid
and/or unenforceable, such invalidity/unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of the
Agreement. The Agreement shall then be construed as if such invalid/unenforceable provision(s)
had never been contained herein and such invalid/unenforceable provision(s) shall be replaced
with valid and enforceable provision(s), the commercial effect of which shall be as similar as
possible to the invalid/unenforceable provision(s).
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SECTION 31: Choice of Law, Jurisdiction, and Compliance with Laws
31.1 The Agreement and all questions arising out of or in connection with the Agreement shall
be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Carolina as if
entirely performed therein and without giving effect to its conflict of law rules.
31.2 Supplier agrees to litigate all claims and actions arising under or otherwise concerning
the Agreement in a South Carolina court of competent jurisdiction. MBV may initiate legal
proceedings in any other court having jurisdiction over Supplier. SUPPLIER HEREBY WAIVES
ANY RIGHT SUPPLIER MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL ARISING FROM ANY DISPUTES RELATED IN
ANY WAY TO THE AGREEMENT. SUPPLIER HEREBY CONSENTS TO JURISDICTION IN THE STATE OR
FEDERAL COURTS OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO IN PERSONAM
JURISDICTION IN ANY COURT SITTING IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
31.3 MBV, at its option, may also invoke binding and exclusive arbitration with respect to any
dispute arising out of or relating to the Agreement, or the breach thereof, or any Purchase Order
issued hereunder. If such arbitration is invoked by MBV, the Supplier agrees to submit to such
arbitration and to dismiss any legal proceedings relating to the subject matter of the arbitration.
Any such arbitration will be administered by the American Arbitration Association under its
Commercial Arbitration Rules and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be
entered by any court having jurisdiction. The arbitration will be conducted in the English
language in Charleston County, South Carolina, in accordance with the United States Arbitration
Act (as the Parties agree that the Agreement impacts or is related to interstate commerce). There
shall be one arbitrator, who shall be selected by MBV from the American Arbitration
Association's National Roster. The award of the arbitrator shall be accompanied by a statement
of the reasons upon which the award is based. The arbitrator shall decide the dispute in
accordance with the substantive law of the State of South Carolina.
31.4 The Parties hereby confirm that they are aware of the Applicable Laws, and, in
connection with the activities of the Parties related to this Agreement, Supplier hereby commits
to strict compliance with such Applicable Laws and makes the following representations and
warranties as of the date of this Agreement and for the duration of this Agreement in connection
with its activities related to this Agreement:
(a) Supplier, for itself and on behalf of its Affiliated Persons, represents, warrants and
covenants that:
(i) Supplier and its Affiliated Persons are solely responsible for complying,
have to their best knowledge complied, and will comply, with Applicable Laws and have
to their best knowledge not taken and will not take or fail to take any action, which act or
omission would subject MBV or its affiliated companies to liability under Applicable
Laws;
(ii) neither Supplier nor any of its Affiliated Persons has, to its or their best
knowledge, offered, paid, given or loaned or promised to pay, give or loan, or will offer,
pay, give or loan or promise to pay, give or loan, directly or indirectly, money or any
other thing of value to or for the benefit of any Government Official, for the purposes of
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corruptly (a) influencing any act or decision of such Government Official in his official
capacity, (b) inducing such Government Official to do or omit to do any act in violation
of his lawful duty, (c) securing any improper advantage or (d) inducing such Government
Official to use his influence with a Government Entity to affect or influence any act or
decision of that Government Entity, in each instance to direct business to Supplier or
MBV or its affiliated companies; and
(iii) in case Supplier or any of its Affiliated Persons is or will become a
Government Entity or a Government Official whose official duties include decisions to
direct business to Supplier, MBV or its affiliated companies or to supervise, or otherwise
control or direct the actions of, Government Officials who are in a position to direct
business to Supplier or MBV or its affiliated companies, Supplier or the respective
Affiliated Persons have to make sure, that conflicts of interest will be excluded and to
inform MBV without undue delay about the measures taken.
(b) Supplier shall assist and cooperate fully with the efforts of MBV to comply with
Applicable Laws. In particular, Supplier shall keep accurate books and records and
Supplier shall immediately notify MBV of any information that bribes or other improper
payments are being requested, made or offered in connection with this Agreement. Upon
request of MBV, Supplier shall make those records which are necessary for MBV to
verify Supplier’s compliance with the Applicable Laws relating to this Agreement
available to a sworn auditor who is obligated to observe secrecy and selected by MBV. If
such auditor notices any failure by Supplier to comply with the Applicable Laws Supplier
agrees that the auditor may disclose information relating to Supplier’s failure to MBV
and, to the extent required by a legal demand by a competent court of law or government
body, to third parties.
(c) In no event will MBV be obligated to Supplier under or in connection with this
Agreement to act or refrain from acting if MBV believes that such act or omission would
cause MBV to be in violation of Applicable Laws. In no event will MBV be liable to
Supplier for any act or omission which MBV believes is necessary to comply with
Applicable Laws.
(d) If Supplier or any of its Affiliated Persons breaches any of the representations,
warranties or covenants in this Section each of which is deemed to be material and
continuously made throughout the term of this Agreement, then, in addition to any other
rights MBV may have under this Agreement:
(i) MBV may declare a forfeit of any unpaid amounts owing to Supplier and
will be entitled to repayment of any amounts paid or credited to Supplier, in each case,
which are prohibited by Applicable Laws; and
(ii) MBV may immediately terminate this Agreement; and
(iii) Supplier shall, upon first written request by MBV, indemnify and hold
harmless MBV in regard to any and all cost and claims brought forward against MBV
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arising out of any failure of Supplier to comply with its representations, warranties and
covenants of this Section.
31.5 Supplier shall also adhere to the standards and requirements of Daimler regarding
sustainability and environmental protection as specified in MBST 36/09.
31.6 The 1980 United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, to
the extent it may be deemed to apply, shall not, pursuant to Article 6 thereof, apply to the
Agreement or any transactions pursuant hereto.
31.7 To the extent Supplier procures components or parts for the Product or Service Parts from
Mexico, trade benefits arising out of or in connection with sourcing in Mexico, pursuant to the
Mexican Decree for Development and Modernization of the Automobile Industry of December
11, 1989 (as amended and/or replaced by similar law), and its implementing regulations, shall
accrue to the MBV Mexican affiliate, as identified by MBV from time to time. Supplier shall
cause its Mexican suppliers to transfer such trade benefits to the MBV Mexican affiliate, and to
meet all requirements to assure that the MBV Mexican affiliate may make use of such trade
benefits.
SECTION 32: Immigration
32.1 Supplier (i) shall at all times during the term of this Agreement comply, in all respects
with all immigration laws, statutes, rules, codes, orders and regulations, including, without
limitation, the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended, the Immigration and
Nationality Act, as amended, and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility
Act of 1996, the South Carolina Illegal Immigration and Reform Act, and all other applicable
state or local laws, as amended, and any successor statutes, laws, rules and regulations thereto
(collectively, the “Immigration Laws”), (ii) has properly maintained, and shall at all times
during the term of this Agreement properly maintain, all records required by the Department of
Homeland Security (the “DHS”), including, without limitation, the completion and maintenance
of the Form I-9 for each of Supplier’s employees located in the United States, and (iii) has
responded, and shall at all times during the term of this Agreement respond, in a timely fashion
to any inspection requests related to such I-9 Forms by DHS or by MBV. During the term of this
Agreement, Supplier shall, and shall cause its directors, officers, managers, agents and
employees to, fully cooperate in all respects with any audit, inquiry, inspection or investigation
that may be conducted by the DHS of Supplier or any of its employees. All agreements and
contracts between Supplier and its Subcontractors shall provide, and shall require the
Subcontractors to cause all agreements and contracts with Sub-subcontractors to provide, that the
Subcontractor or Sub-subcontractor, as the case may be, is subject to all of the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, except to the extent expressly stated otherwise in the Contract
Documents.
32.2 Supplier will not knowingly employ, hire for employment, or continue to employ any
unauthorized aliens to perform any Services, and Supplier agrees to attest to such representation
by a sworn affidavit in the form attached as Attachment 2. Supplier shall require each
Subcontractor and Sub-Subcontractor to furnish to Supplier an affidavit similar to Attachment 2.
Furthermore, Supplier will not knowingly allow any Subcontractors or Sub-Subcontractors to
employ or continue to employ any unauthorized aliens to perform any Services. Prior to
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performing any Services, Supplier agrees to enroll and maintain enrollment in the federal work
authorization program by the DHS commonly known as E-Verify or any subsequent replacement
program (the "E-Verify program"), to provide to MBV evidence of Supplier's enrollment in the
E-Verify program, and to utilize the E-Verify program during the performance of the Agreement
in accordance with the applicable state and federal rules and regulations. Supplier will retain and
make available for inspection by MBV, or any authorized governmental agency, at the Site (and
if requested provide a copy to MBV), on the first day of employment or upon reasonable notice,
a completed I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form and an E-Verify confirmation. Upon
request, Supplier will provide to MBV any available copies of associated employment eligibility,
identity, and work authorization documentation for each person that Supplier employs on the
Site. If Supplier receives actual knowledge of the unauthorized status of one of its Site
employees, or if Supplier learns of facts that would lead a reasonable person to infer the
unauthorized status of any Site employee, Supplier will immediately remove that employee from
the Site, inform MBV, and shall require each Subcontractor and Sub-Subcontractor to act in a
similar fashion with respect to such Subcontractor's or Sub-Subcontractor's employees.
32.3 Supplier shall indemnify, protect, defend and hold harmless MBV and its affiliates and its
and their respective directors, stockholders, members, managers, officers, employees, agents,
consultants, representatives, successors, transferees and assigns (collectively, the “MBV
Indemnified Parties”) from and against any and all damages arising from, relating to or
associated with any actual or alleged actions or omissions of Supplier or its employees, agents,
representatives, Subcontractors, or Sub-subcontractors, or any employees, agents, representatives
or contractors of any of the foregoing, in connection with the performance of the Services
hereunder.
32.4 Supplier represents and warrants that each employee and Subcontractor and Sub-
Subcontractor employee will have evidence of appropriate immigration authorization to perform
the Services at the MBV jobsite. On-site credentials will not be issued by MBV for any Supplier
or Subcontractor or Sub-Subcontractor employee unless the employee meets these requirements.
Suppliers who fail to present evidence of appropriate immigration authorization to MBV shall
not be allowed to perform work at MBV in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Supplier shall remain responsible for any and all damages incurred for failing to meet the
appropriate immigration requirements and failure to remedy will be a breach of contract. It is the
responsibility of the Supplier to seek legal counsel and bear all costs for obtaining such
immigration authorization for its employees and Subcontractors’ and Sub-Subcontractors'
employees prior to these employees’ assignment to the MBV jobsite.
32.5 All indemnification obligations in Section 32 of this Agreement shall be enforced to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law for the MBV Indemnified Parties’ benefit, regardless
of the causes or alleged causes of the claims.
SECTION 33: Advertising
33.1 Supplier shall not, without the prior written consent of Daimler, in any manner publish
the fact that Supplier has furnished or contracted to furnish MBV with goods and/or services, or
use the name or trademarks of Daimler, its products, or any of its associated companies in
Supplier's advertising or other publication. Supplier shall not place its or any third parties'
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trademark or other designation on the part if the part is a Marked Part. Supplier shall sell
Marked Parts, and similar goods, only to Daimler and shall not sell Marked Parts or similar
goods to third parties without Daimler's prior written consent.
SECTION 34: Assignment
34.1 Both parties acknowledge, understand, and agree that MBV, in entering into the
Agreement, depends upon special trust, confidence, and an ongoing special and unique
relationship between the Parties. Supplier hereby acknowledges that the Agreement, by reason
of said special and unique relationship, may not be assumed, assigned, or delegated without the
prior express written consent of MBV pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 365 or any similar statute, state or
federal, and hereby expressly waives any and all rights Supplier has under 11 U.S.C. § 365 to
assume and assign the Agreement without the express written and prior consent of MBV. The
Agreement, including any rights arising therefrom, may not be assigned or delegated, in whole or
in part, by either Party, unless it has received the prior written consent by the other Party.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, MBV may assign the Agreement in whole to any affiliated
company that may pursue the Project in its stead.
34.2 The Agreement shall be binding and inure to the benefit of the Parties and, subject to
Section 34.1 above, to their respective successors and assigns.
SECTION 35: Diversity
35.1 MBV seeks to have a diverse supplier base and thus encourages Supplier to have a
diverse workforce and diverse supplier base. This may be accomplished by Supplier using its
best efforts to contract and sub-contract with business establishments which meet one or more of
the following conditions: (i) a small business, as defined in Title 15, Section 632 of the United
States Code and related regulations; (ii) a small business owned and controlled by socially
disadvantaged individuals (that is, more than fifty percent (50%) of the business is owned and
controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and the
management and daily business operations are controlled by one or more of such individuals);
and (iii) a business that is more than fifty percent (50%) owned by a woman or women who also
control and operate the business. Supplier shall inform MBV annually the percentage, based on
a dollar value, of the content provided by its suppliers which meet one or more of the preceding
conditions for the Product, Service Parts, or Services purchased hereunder, as well as the basis
for claiming that such content was provided by a supplier which meets one or more of the
preceding conditions.
35.2 MBV expects the Supplier to use its best efforts to achieve a total of at least five percent
(5%) initial content in the Product to come from such businesses.
35.3 Supplier understands and agrees that the Agreement is between Supplier and MBV, but
that DAG or other affiliates of DAG may act as an agent or representative of MBV for various
purposes under this Agreement and the development and production of the Vehicle. DAG and
such affiliates shall be third party beneficiaries under this Agreement.
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SECTION 36: Pollution and Waste
36.1 Supplier agrees to become certified to ISO 14000 no later than the start of production
pursuant to this Agreement, or such other date upon which the Parties may mutually agree.
Supplier agrees to provide MBV with annual proof of its ISO 14000 certification.
36.2 Supplier shall notify MBV in writing upon receipt of a Purchase Order issued under the
Agreement if goods sold thereunder are subject to laws or regulations relating to hazardous or
toxic substances or, when disposed of, to regulations governing hazardous waste, or to any other
environmental or safety and health regulations. Supplier shall furnish all appropriate shipping
certification and instructions for shipping, safety, handling, exposure and disposal (including,
without limitation, material safety data sheets and TSCA certification) in a form sufficiently
clear for use by MBV's nontechnical personnel and sufficiently specific to identify all actions
which the user must take concerning the material. Supplier is responsible for complying with the
TSCA requirements in accordance Section 7.9 of the Agreement, and with MBV Purchasing
procedures for chemicals and related parts in accordance with MBV's Contractor Safety, Security
and Environmental Guide.
To the extent that Supplier is present on MBV premises, the Supplier must take all necessary
measures to prevent the release of contaminants of all kinds, to prevent any discharge into
sanitary sewer system drains, sinks, clean-outs, or sumps, to prevent any discharge into any
storm sewer system drain on the MBV site, and to prevent any chemical spills and/or releases of
any kind, including hydraulic oil line failures. The Supplier is required to comply with the MBV
Contractor Safety, Security and Environmental Guide. Supplier shall ensure that any Sub-
supplier / Sub-contractor complies with the MBV Contractor Safety, Security and Environmental
Guide.
36.3
SECTION 37: Captions
37.1 The headings of each section of the Agreement are intended for ease of reference only
and shall not be used to limit, interpret, or modify the provisions of the Agreement or the rights
and obligations of the Parties.
SECTION 38: Acknowledgment
38.1 Supplier shall require all of its Lower Tier suppliers, whether or not listed on Supplier's
Chain of Supply List, to execute a Lower Tier Acknowledgment and Waiver in accordance with
the provisions of this Section 38. Supplier shall deliver all fully executed acknowledgments to
MBV to keep on file with Supplier's Chain of Supply List. MBV is specifically authorized by
Supplier to directly engage, contact and communicate with all of Supplier’s sub-suppliers,
subcontractors and vendors regarding their performance and production of products and/or
services to Supplier in connection with its performance under this Agreement.
38.2 In the Lower Tier Acknowledgement and Waiver required hereunder, each Lower Tier
shall agree to and acknowledge the following:
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(a) All of MBV's rights and remedies set forth in Sections 6.3, 6.4, 20, 22 and 23 of
these Master Terms, and agree that MBV shall have all of the same rights and remedies
against Lower Tier as those it has with respect to Supplier, which are set forth in those
Sections.
(b) Except as otherwise set forth in the Development Agreement or other Contract
Documents, MBV owns the MBV Intellectual Property and Work Product at all times
during the term of the Agreement, and that MBV has granted Supplier a non-exclusive,
non-transferable license to use such MBV Intellectual Property. However, MBV has
agreed to permit Supplier to sub-license the MBV Intellectual Property to Lower Tier
only to the extent necessary for Lower Tier to fulfill its obligations to Supplier in
furtherance of Supplier's obligations under the Agreement. Lower Tier shall not grant
any additional sublicense in and to the MBV Intellectual Property. Any sublicense in the
MBV Intellectual Property shall automatically be revoked upon termination of the
Agreement. Lower Tier agrees with and shall comply with the terms and restrictions of
MBV's license of MBV Intellectual Property.
(c) A waiver by Lower Tier, substantially similar to the provisions of Section 11.1
herein, of mechanic’s lien, materialmen’s lien, laborer’s lien and similar rights for
payment.
(d) An obligation by Lower Tier, substantially similar to Supplier’s obligation set
forth in Section 11.2 herein, to keep property free and clear of liens.
SECTION 39: Integration Clause
39.1 The Agreement is the exclusive, complete, and integrated statement of agreement
between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and shall supersede all prior
agreements, negotiations, representations, and proposals, whether written or oral, relating to the
supply of Product or Service Parts. Except as otherwise permitted by the Agreement, no
provision of the Agreement may be changed or modified except by agreement in writing signed
by both Parties.
SECTION 40: Absolute Obligation to Supply
40.1 By acceptance of a Purchase Order, Supplier understands and agrees that its obligations
under this Agreement are absolute, and at no time, may Supplier refuse to perform or stop
shipment, even if MBV is in breach of this Agreement. Supplier is entitled to seek damages for
any alleged breach by judicial process, in accordance with this Agreement, but Supplier must
continue with performance under this Agreement at all time. The parties specifically
acknowledge and agree that any actual or threatened cessation of performance by Supplier shall
constitute bad faith on the part of Supplier.
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REFERENCED ATTACHMENTS TO
MASTER TERMS DIRECT PURCHASING
Attachment 1 MBV CONTRACTOR, SAFETY, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
GUIDE
Attachment 2 QUALITY MANUAL – MBV as amended and posted on MBV’s electronic
Supplier Portal
Attachment 3 EDOCS TERMS OF USE
Attachment 4 IMMIGRATION AFFIDAVIT
Attachment 5 BILL OF SALE
Attachment 6 MBV WARRANTY PROCESS
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ATTACHMENT 1
Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC (MBV)
Contractor Safety, Security and Environmental Guide
Introduction
Welcome to MBV. We take pride building high quality Sprinter Vans, and our success could not be achieved without
a commitment to safety and respect for each person that enters our facility. We believe that all accidents can be
prevented and require that you work safe at all times. With proper attention to conditions and safe work practices,
we can achieve and maintain this goal.
This guide meets minimum requirements. Take time to read and understand the information or this information
maybe verbally communicated to you as appropriate. If you have any questions, contact your host or Russell Revell,
MBV EHSS, telephone 843-695-5060.
In addition to reading this guide, you and your team members will be asked to sign a declaration statement that you
will follow all safety and environmental rules; also sign the MBV Contractor Release and Waiver of Liability, and
Confidentiality Agreements form.
If any situations occur which are not covered in this guide, you will be responsible for stopping work and notifying
your host or the EHSS.
Your company is required to meet all applicable safety requirements under 29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926 and
environmental requirements under EPA / DOT/ SC DHEC / City of North Charleston; FIFRA
1. Contractors Safety Roles and Responsibilities
Report all near misses, accidents, injuries, abnormal conditions, severe weather conditions
immediately to your host and the EHSS.
Comply with government regulations and MBV policies / procedures.
Inspect work areas and equipment to ensure safe working conditions.
Provide acceptable certificate of liability insurance to MBV.
Receive safety orientation and complete Hazard Analysis – if needed.
Complete the MBV “Contractor and Waiver of Liability, and Confidentiality Agreements” form;
Train your personnel regarding potential hazards to which they may be exposed.
Use personal protective equipment as required.
Supervisor to be on-site while working on MBV property.
Zero Tolerance Policy regarding harassment, use of alcohol or drugs.
In the event of severe weather; ie: lightening, hail, high winds, seek shelter indoors immediately.
If working on the roof, a coworker must be present at all times – buddy system.
Be licensed, and wear seat belts when operating equipment or motor vehicles. Obey all posted
speed limits.
No taking of photo’s with camera’s, cell phones permitted on site.
Never take any undue risks that will compromise safety, immediately notify your host and the
EHSS of any unsafe conditions.
1.1 Contractors must be able to demonstrate safety competence and provide if requested access to training
records, certifications, OSHA log and environmental compliance information.
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2. Safety Orientation
2.1 All contractor personnel must attend safety orientation prior to working on the site. It is a requirement that
attendees be able to understand and communicate in English, or provide an interpreter to ensure information is
understood.
3. Safety Accident / Environmental Reporting
3.1 All accidents, injuries, near misses, spills, abnormal conditions or severe weather must be reported immediately
to your host and the MBV Environmental, Health and Safety Specialist [EHSS] – Russell Revell. Telephone number
is 843-695-5060.
3.2 Complete an Accident Investigation Report. Include countermeasures that will ensure the incident will not
reoccur. The supervisor must sign and submit the report to the MBV EHSS.
3.3 Contractors are responsibility for:
Maintaining their OSHA 300 log;
Reporting fatalities and hospitalization of 3 or more employees to OSHA immediately if
possible…..or within 8 hours of the incident.
4. First Aid / Heat Conditions
4.1 MBV has emergency responders available for “emergency first aid treatment” only. Treatment includes –
responding, administering first aid, stabilizing a patient. If advance treatment is needed, than an ambulance should
transport the patient to the hospital or doctors’ office - dial 911 [MBV address: 8501 Palmetto Commerce Parkway,
Ladson, S.C.] Identify yourself as a contractor. Do not hang up with the dispatcher until told to do so.
4.2 Treat all blood as a biohazard and protect yourself. Report any discovery to MBV personnel and follow OSHA /
SC DHEC regulations on handling and disposal.
4.3 Protect workers’ from potential heat stress; wear appropriate clothing, frequent rest periods in the shade;
increase water intake and frequency. During severe heat conditions, increase monitoring of your personnel and
ensure a “buddy” system is in place.
5. Safety Rules
5.1 Contractors will obey all MBV safety rules and will also adhere to OSHA regulations. Failure to obey rules and
regulations may result in immediate termination of work and possible reporting of violations to regulatory agencies.
5.2 If personnel do not follow lockout/ tagout, electrical safety [including NFPA 70E], confined space, fall
protection, and smoking rules, personnel may be evicted from the work site.
5.3 Willful and / or reckless failure to comply with a standard or abate a recognized hazard will result in permanent
dismissal upon the first offense.
6. Problem Resolution
6.1 Issues regarding safety regulations, procedures, or permits shall be brought to the attention of the MBV EHSS.
7. Barricades; Safety Cones; Caution Tape
7.1 Construction work inside and outside the plant shall be clearly marked and barricaded
7.2 Appropriate warning signs shall be posted.
7.3 Any contractor who creates an opening or hole – excavations, floor openings, roof or elevated platforms, or
overhead work, is responsible for placing a barricade around the area. An entry and exit point shall be provided to
access the area. In the event a barricade cannot be put in place, a person shall be posted to watch over the area.
7.4 Warning barricades – shall be placed at least 3 feet back from an excavation or other opening with a top rail [42
inches], a mid rail and toe board. Warning barricades for the roof shall be at least 6 feet from edge.
7.5 Barricades shall be erected prior to any excavation and extended as excavation progresses.
7.6 Rigid barricades shall be able to withstand 200 pounds of down and out force.
7.7 Hole covers are required for all holes or openings through floors or decking at all elevations if the hole is more
than 18 inches.
7.8 Deploy barricades in work areas that need protection from traffic or working in electrical / PLC panel boxes.
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8. Monitoring of work area
8.1 The contractor in charge shall ensure daily housekeeping is performed.
8.2 Contractors shall conduct daily safety meetings.
8.3 Contractors shall conduct daily safety inspections to include reviewing employee PPE, ensuring safe equipment,
and ensuring safe operations.
9. Personal Protective Equipment
9.1 Contractors will wear safety vests (yellow or orange) unless otherwise noted.
9.2 Contractors shall provide their employees with all personal protective equipment [PPE] in order to complete
assigned job responsibilities. ANSI approved safety glasses and steel toe shoes are minimum requirements. Other
PPE such as hard hats, orange safety vests, electrical safety arc flash resistant clothing / electrical insulated tools,
welding PPE, gloves and hearing protection may be required.
9.3 If noise levels are greater than 85 dB, hearing protection is required.
9.4 Failure to wear required PPE may trigger barring the employee from access to MBV property.
954 The use of tinted safety glasses is prohibited inside buildings. Shading for specific jobs such as burning
goggles is an exception.
9.6 When performing outdoor yard work with power equipment to include lawn mowers, weed eaters, steel toe
shoes, safety glasses and hearing protection is required. When working in close vicinity to ponds, life jackets are
required.
9.7 Hard hats with an attached welding shield shall be required when welding. No soft cap welding is allowed.
9.8 When working on “live” electrical, appropriate rated flash resistant clothing and PPE will be worn in accordance
to NFPA 70E standards.
9.9 If respirators are required to be worn, requirements: written program, medical approval for all employees
utilizing respirators, training, meet OSHA regulations.
9.10 Provide protective caps for any sharp objects, ie: rebar that can impale someone.
10. Smoking
10.1 The use of tobacco products inside the building or outside of an “authorized smoking area” is prohibited.
10.2 Anyone smoking outside of an approved area will be subject to corrective action up to and including removal
from the job site.
10.2 Smoking is permitted only outdoors in authorized areas: Cafeteria outdoor patio, Guard House outdoor patio,
outdoor areas where there are cigarette butt cans.
10.3 There will be no ignition sources within 50 feet of the paint mix area; fuel storage tanks; fuel dispensing
station; facility chemical drums and totes; within 50 feet of the hazardous waste storage area.
11 Mobile Equipment / Vehicles
11.1 Only contractor work vehicles are allowed to park near the building. Contractor personal vehicles shall be
parked in designated areas as directed by security.
11.2 Only vehicles, forklifts, mobile equipment and tricycles can enter or exit building through overhead doors.
Personnel on foot must use the pedestrian doors.
11.3 Speed limit inside facility is 5 mph; facility perimeter road 15 mph; vehicle parking areas 10 mph. Be alert
for Sprinter Vans in transit to and from the plant. Be alert around all blind spots.
11.4 Vehicles operating inside the facility must have emergency flashing lights running. Use horn as necessary, ie:
operating in reverse and prior to moving vehicle.
11.5 If a vehicle or other equipment is equipped with a seatbelt, the seatbelt must be worn.
11.6 Operators must have a valid driving license and operator certification as required.
11.7 All cranes must be inspected prior to being allowed on site.
11.8 All cranes must have proof of annual inspection.
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12 Elevated Work Surfaces / Roof Top Access – Spiral Staircase
12.1 Fall protection is required for all work over 4 feet in elevation. A harness with a shock absorbing lanyard must
be worn as part of the fall protection system. A full body harness will be worn at all times while operating
inside a scissor lift or aerial lift. The lanyard must be secured to the personnel cage 100% of the time;
lanyard to have self-retracting system to minimize fall distance; 5,000 pound anchorage required.
12.2 All parts of the fall protection system must be inspected prior to each use.
12.4 Access to the work area with a designated entry point is required for all elevated work.
12.5 Contractors shall furnish, install and maintain an OSHA approved safety railing around the outside perimeter of
the building deck, around all roof openings, or any other elevated work surfaces greater than 4 feet where a fall
potential exists.
12.6 No metal ladders. Only ladders made of wood or fiberglass are authorized to be used.
12.7 Ladders must be set at the proper work angle, set at a distance of ¼ of the height of the ladder away from the
base of the work, and extend 36 inches above landing.
12.8 Ladders shall be secured by another employee holding the ladder or tying the ladder off to a
permanent structure.
12.9 Standing on the top rung or footing of a ladder is unauthorized!
12.10 Ladders shall be inspected for serviceability prior to each use.
12.11 Scaffolds must be erected to meet all OSHA construction requirements. Any scaffold discovered with a
discrepancy must be tagged out and corrected before it is placed back into service.
12.12 Man lift inspections must be performed prior to each use. Only experienced operators can utilize man lifts
such as scissor lifts / aerial lifts.
12.13 Do not operate mobile lifts when high winds are present – the equipment can become unstable.
12.14 For roof top access, use the spiral staircase – do not use the vertical ladders unless there is an emergency.
13 Lockout Policy
13.1 All personnel must adhere to applicable OSHA regulations, and receive training as required.
13.2 Do not operate equipment or devices that have an attached lockout tag or lockout device.
13.3 Lockout locks and tags must be used to prohibit the inadvertent operation of a piece of equipment to ensure
that an injury or equipment damage does not occur from the unexpected energization from such equipment
operation.
13.4 Contractors must develop and use lock out procedures to ensure and effective lock out program. The
contractors program must be as stringent or greater than MBV’s LOTO program.
13.5 Contractors shall provide their own individually keyed locks and tags.
13.6 All lockout tags must: have standard red and black lettering that states DANGER – DO NOT OPERATE; be able
to withstand the environment; be securely attached; and contain the following information:
Employees name
Contractors name
Work location
Date
Reason for lockout
13.7 Tags must never be altered.
13.8 The contractor’s supervisor is responsible to ensure that hazardous energy work is not performed without the
protection of locks and tags. Only individually keyed locks shall be used for lockout purposes.
13.9 The contractor’s supervisor or designee may lock and tag on behalf of contractor personnel where multi lock-
out points are involved making an individual lockout impractical. The individual worker is still responsible to verify
that the equipment is de-energized, locked, and tagged until work is complete.
13.10 Multi-lock hasps must be used if more than one contractor or craft is involved.
13.11 When multiple locks and tags are attached, a group lock-out may be performed.
13.12 When using a single lock for a group lock-out, the lock or tag from each person working on the equipment
must be attached to the group lock box prior to starting work.
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13.13 All contractors performing electrical lockouts must be trained in 29 CFR 1910.331-335 or 29 CFR 1926. 409-
415.
13.14 No person shall remove another person’s lock or tag unless the owner is off-site. The contractor’s supervisor
or designee may remove the lock and tag, or authorize it’s removal, only after attempting to contact the lock owner.
13.15 Use the following procedures to remove a lock:
Ensure the equipment being unlocked is ready to be unlocked, or that the party requesting the
removal is aware of the equipment status prior to lock removal.
Attempt to notify the person whose lock and tag needs to be removed. At the next regular shift,
return the tag to the owner for disposal.
Unauthorized lock and tag removal is the same as operating equipment with an attached lock and
tag and will result in corrective action.
13.16 Tags required beyond one shift must be replaced by personnel from the on-coming shift.
14 Electrical Safety; Locking Out Electrical Circuits
14.1 An electrical foreman must observe a journeyman electrician use the following procedures for all electrical
switches and devices:
Wear appropriate rated arc flash PPE when working on live equipment in accordance with NFPA
70E. Assisting personnel must also wear arc flash PPE.
Stand to the right of the switch, throw the switch open, then….
Use an approved voltage tester to ensure that the load side of the disconnecting means is de-
energized, then……..
Use an approved fuse puller to remove fuses, or insulated and rated tool to remove heating
elements.
The electrical foreman will place his lock and tag on the switch.
After the foreman attaches their lock and tag, other personnel place their lockout tag on the
electrical foreman’s lockout device.
14.2 No work shall be performed on any energized electrical service without the permission of the MBV
Maintenance Supervisor and MBV EHSS. If working “live” – wear appropriate arc flash equipment and electrical
tools in accordance with NFPA regulations.
15 De-energizing Pneumatic and Piping Systems
15.1 The contractor’s supervisor is responsible for the de-energizing the system and placing their lock and tag on
energy isolation points. Each person working on the system will place their lock / tag device on each isolation point
or to the group box. Some valves are easily opened with a quarter turn; it may be necessary to apply special
clamping devices to secure quick opening valves in the desired position. Be sure communication amongst all
affected parties is maintained to maximize safety awareness.
15.2 Extreme caution must be exercised when opening lines, breaking flanges, placing blanks or cutting on a
welded line. Note: several indoor lines contain natural gas, diesel fuel, and gasoline – do not weld or cut.
15.3 Each person working on the system must attach a lock / tag device on their supervisor’s lock and remove it
when their work is complete.
15.4 Contract supervision must ensure that the system is clear of personnel and all potential hazards before
removing lock / tag devices to re-energize the system.
15.5 During equipment adjustments or troubleshooting, the contractor must provide adequate and continuous
supervision. The supervisor must ensure that personnel under their span of control, ie: sub-contractors, follow
lockout / tagout procedures without deviation.
15.6 Prior to working on any fire protection system pipes, the insurance company and employees are to be notified
of the impairment. When work is completed the insurance company and employees are to be again notified that the
system is operational.
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16 Confined Space Entry
16.1 A confined space has limited means of entry or exit, is large enough to bodily enter, and is not designed for
continuous occupancy.
16.1 The contractor must receive MBV EHSS approval prior to entering any confined space. The contractor must
meet all OSHA requirements for permitting and emergency rescue.
16.2 The contractor must be familiar with MBV’s confined space program. Confined spaces include the following
areas:
Fueling pit
Transfer shuttle pit
Slat conveyor motor pit
Roof top RTU’s
Compartments located above the paint and conservation booths
Tank located inside air compressor room
Outdoor fuel tanks
Oil / water separator
Dock levelers
Sewers
16.3 For entry into a “Permit Required ” Confined space, procedures include hazard evaluation, testing for
atmospheric hazards, training, and emergency rescue.
16.4 The contractor must use personnel trained in OSHA’s confined space standards for their respective job
assignment: confined entry supervisor, entrant, and attendant.
16.5 The contractor must provide all equipment appropriate to the hazards and conditions in order to safely perform
the work.
16.6 If hazardous conditions are detected during entry, employees must immediately leave the space.
16.7 A “Permit Required” confined space may be reclassified to a “Non-Permit” confined space if:
The space poses no actual or potential hazard.
All hazards are eliminated without entering the space.
The hazards remain eliminated.
16.8 For reclassification, refer to MBV Confined Space written program.
17 Hot Work Permit Policy
17.1 A signed Hot Work Permit is required before any cutting, welding, or spark / flame producing work is
performed. Contact MBV EHSS for a permit. The completed permit must be posted at the work site.
17.2 Permits must be signed by the contractor supervisor, workers, fire watch and MBV EHSS or MBV Maintenance
Supervisor.
17.3 A permit may be issued only after an inspection of the area ensures the following basic precautions have been
performed:
Automatic fire protection systems are in service.
A fire watch is assigned by the contractor.
All combustible debris or trash is kept clear from within 35 feet of the area.
No flammable / combustible liquids are stored in the area.
Combustibles that cannot be moved are protected by fire blankets.
17.4 The fire watch must:
Know the locations of the nearest manual fire alarm box.
Have a serviceable ABC fire extinguisher nearby.
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17.5 Constantly inspect the work area for fires during the job, and thoroughly inspect the area for smoldering fires
before going on break, lunch and upon completion of work for at least 30 minutes after the task is complete. After
work is complete, return the completed permit to MBV EHSS.
18 Compressed Gas Cylinders
18.1 Compressed gas cylinders storage and use must follow all OSHA requirements.
18.2 Cylinders must be upright and secured in a cylinder carrier when being transported inside the facility and have
protective caps in place. Other safety requirements:
Never store cylinders near open flame, steam pipes or any kind of heat source.
Never allow any object to strike a cylinder since this may damage a valve or cause an explosion.
Never take a cylinder inside a tank, vessel, or confined space where work is to be performed.
18.3 Regulators or fittings shall not be used if oil or grease has accumulated.
18.4 Wrenches shall be left in place for emergencies. Never leave pressure on regulators during extended periods –
breaks, meal times, job completion, etc…
18.5 Caps must be on cylinders when regulators are not in place.
18.6 Cylinders [full or empty] must be secured by chain. Fuel and oxygen cylinders must be kept separate when
stored, at least 50 feet apart.
19 Hazard Communication
19.1 Information regarding chemicals used or handled at this site is maintained by MBV EHSS. Contractors and
their employees must be familiar with the information if they work in areas where chemicals are used. This
information shall include all pertinent information contained within the Safety Data Sheet [SDS] but shall not be
limited to: handling precautions, protective equipment, symptoms of exposure and first aid.
19.2 The contractor shall provide MBV EHSS with Safety Data Sheets for all chemicals to be used on site for review
and approval.
19.3 All chemical and hazardous material shall be properly labeled and stored in accordance with OSHA regulations
– Global Harmonization System.
19.4 Contractors shall be responsible for proper disposal of all waste and empty containers.
20 Tools and Equipment
20.1 The contractor is responsible for ensuring that all tools and equipment are maintained in safe working order
and used only for their intended purpose.
20.2 Proper guards must be installed on all power tools before being used.
20.3 The contractor will use Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters [GFCI’s] for electrical safety.
20.4 Tools / Extension cords with damaged cords or plugs shall be removed from service immediately.
20.4 Contractors shall use tools, to include power actuated, in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.
21 Excavation
21.1 Prior to excavation, the area must be surveyed for buried lines, service companies should be notified.
21.2 Excavation of 4 feet or more shall have sides at the proper angle or shored depending on soil conditions.
21.3 All excavations shall be barricaded for personnel and vehicle protection.
21.4 All excavations shall meet OSHA’s construction standards.
22 Aisle Markings / Restricted Areas / Floor Conditions / Doorways / Second Floor Loft – Use / Lawn -
Grounds
22.1 Aisle-ways marked with white dots are PPE free zones. Remain in the aisle-ways if at all possible.
22.2 Before entering an aisle-way, look both ways twice for moving equipment.
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22.3 Restricted areas are identified by areas with “Blue Fences” or “Blue Rails”. Do not enter a “Blue Fenced / Rail”
area unless you are authorized.
22.4 Be aware of floor conditions – automotive fluids, water on floor can cause slippery conditions – pay attention
to where you are walking and report any spills on floor surface. Exercise care around uneven floor surfaces, air
hoses or electrical extension cords which can potentially cause a trip hazard.
22.5 When walking, entering or exiting building or booths, use the pedestrian door (s) only. Do not walk thru any
roll-up doors.
22.6 When entering a “floor hatch” the floor opening must have an attendant – to caution others not to go near the
opening in the floor.
22.7 When utilizing the second floor loft door and opening – the person on the second floor must wear a full body
harness when transferring loads. When the loft door-way is open, an attendant must be present to caution anyone
near the area of the fall hazard. When the loft is not being used, the doors must remain locked. Also, when a
forklift is handling loads near the overhead loft, the forklift working area must be barricaded to keep other
personnel away.
22.8 When working outdoors, exercise caution as there may be holes in the lawn / grounds or uneven surfaces
which can cause a trip hazard. Report any unsafe conditions.
23 Emergency Evacuation & Shelter; Severe Weather
23.1 If the fire alarm is activated, proceed to exit at the nearest exit door. There are three assembly points for MBV
– flag poles, stormwater pond (north end of plant) and the main guard house.
23.2 If a tornado is imminent, communication will be by voice, seek shelter inside internal buildings / restrooms.
23.3 For lightening, hail and high winds, seek shelter indoors. Report severe weather conditions.
23.4 For freezing conditions, use caution when walking on concrete surfaces or using the outdoor steel constructed
steps as they have a tendency to freeze up. Report any unsafe conditions.
24 Environmental Protection & ISO 14001
24.1 The goal of MBV’s environmental policy is to:
Protect the environment.
Comply with all Local, State and Federal regulations.
Continual Improvement
Prevent Pollution.
Recycle.
If the scope of work can have a potential significant impact on the environment, or can create any
abnormal conditions of concern, or a potential emergency situation, controls will be discussed to
abate any of these situations.
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24.2 Immediately report spills or leaks.
24.3 All work areas must be kept clean and orderly.
24.4 The contractor should determine the location of the recycling / disposal facilities to be used for all materials
recycled or disposed of which will be generated from the work performed. Waste materials removed from site must
be approved by the EHSS, transported to a South Carolina state permitted disposal facility, provide documentation
verifying disposal or recycling.
24.5 The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and removing solid wastes, including all construction debris
[including concrete], and segregating recyclable wastes from non-recyclable wastes.
24.6 Recyclable materials including construction debris that cannot be reused onsite by the contractor should be
transported by the contractor to a valid recycling facility that reclaims and recycles these materials.
24.7 Contractors should maintain receipts of recyclables or disposal for the contract period.
24.8 Notify MBV EHSS if any materials, chemicals or containers need to be disposed.
24.9 MBV’s stormwater policy is that there will be absolutely no dumping of chemicals, cleaners, debris of any kind
on the ground. Contractors will be held responsible.
24.10 MBV’s wastewater policy is that no chemical or pesticide is to be poured into the sanitary sewer or sump.
Check with MBV EHSS if you have any questions on how to handle any type of waste.
24.11 MBV’s solid waste policy is that contractor’s must receive approval from EHSS before discarding any solid
waste.
24.12 Install erosion control measures before digging and maintain throughout project; ie: silt fencing.
24.13 Inspect vehicles and equipment for leaks, repair leaks immediately, do not clean vehicles or equipment on
site.
24.14. Do not clear / remove any trees. Do not impact any wetland areas.
24.15 Stay clear of all wildlife, do not feed wildlife or harass.
24.16 Do not apply any pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers without EHSS approval. Contractors must meet all FIFRA
requirements.
24.17 Any waste materials to be hauled off-site must be approved by the EHSS.
25 Security & Terrorism
25.1 Security / Terrorism – report any suspicious people or activities to MBV personnel immediately.
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Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC
Contractor, Safety, Security and Environmental Guide
Signature Verification
I have read the above rules and regulations [pages 1 – 10] or have received verbal instructions to such and will comply
in good faith to MBV requirements as well as Local, State and Federal regulations.
Or
I have reviewed the General Visitor or Contractor Safety Training Module.
I understand that if the rules and regulations are not followed, measures may be taken to have worked stopped and
possibly have the contractors leave the premises. If a situation occurs in which a procedure is not clear, a hazardous
condition arises or an accident, work is to stop and the MBV Maintenance Supervisor or EHSS is to be immediately
notified.
Date Print Name Signature Company Name
Safety Hazard / Environmental Impact Analysis
Tasks Safety Hazards / Enviro Impacts Control(s)
MBV witness___________________________Date____________
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ATTACHMENT 3
EDOCS TERMS OF USE AGREEMENT
These terms of use applicable to the eDocs IT application available on the Daimler Supplier
Portal for use by Daimler Vans Manufacturing suppliers are agreed between
Name:
Address:
(referred to hereinafter as "Supplier")
And
Daimler Vans Manufacturing
8501 Palmetto Commerce Parkway
Ladson, South Carolina 29456
(referred to hereinafter as "MBV")
Supplier and MBV referred to hereinafter as the "Parties"
Preamble
The Parties are introducing eDocs with the intention of establishing paperless exchange of
business correspondence in electronic form.
With the eDocs IT application operated by and on the premises of MBV, MBV provides the
Supplier with direct access, via the internet, to purchasing documentation
between the parties. For these purposes, purchasing documentation is defined in particular as
inquiries, orders and sales agreements. Suppliers in eDocs use the same method to respond
"online", by means of a secure data connection, to that documentation sent to them, with
declarations of intent in the form of offers and confirmations of acceptance of an order or of a
sale. eDocs also provides a binding means of electronic contracting, which, in practical terms, is
equivalent to the conventional exchange of business documentation.
In view of the innovative nature of the application and in order to clarify the legal effect of
those documents created using eDocs, the Parties have concluded the following agreement.
Otherwise, all other underlying organizational and legal conditions remain unaffected by eDocs.
1. Access
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The eDocs application is accessed by means of the Daimler Supplier Portal
(https://daimler.covisint.com). This portal provides Suppliers with secure and standardized
access to all of those applications authorized for the particular Supplier. The Supplier Portal
provides for decentralized administration on the Supplier's premises. Only that administrator
named by the Supplier and registered in the portal shall be entitled to enable or to deactivate new
eDocs users for the Supplier at any time.
2. Binding Nature of Declarations Made
2.1 All purchasing documentation - in particular inquiries, orders and sales agreements - sent
via eDocs to the Supplier's registered eDocs users shall be declarations of intent binding upon
MBV in respect of the content as it is framed.
2.2 Documentation submitted electronically by the Supplier's registered eDocs users shall be
binding upon the Supplier. Similarly, actuation of those functions available in eDocs by one of
the Supplier's registered users shall constitute binding confirmation of the acceptance of orders
or of sales agreements.
3. Data Security
3.1 MBV shall take reasonable technical and organizational measures so that:
Only eDocs users registered for the Supplier by means of a valid user ID, in combination
with the associated valid password, are able to gain access to eDocs and that data made
available in eDocs is not accessible to third parties or available for manipulation by third
parties;
Secure access to eDocs is provided by means of the HTTPS protocol in use in
particular;
None of the electronic documents can be amended after they have been sent to
the Supplier or to Daimler Supplier Portal in eDocs; and
Only the Supplier's registered eDocs users are able to gain access to offers not yet
submitted and in temporary storage and to internal processing notes in the fields designed
for that purpose.
Every process in eDocs, in particular confirmations and offers, shall be recorded and stored with
the ID of the user creating it. This record shall be used exclusively as evidence of the content and
of the fact that binding declarations of intent were actually submitted, in the event of differences
of opinion arising between the Parties on such matters. Both Parties expressly agree to accept
this evidence, even for the purposes of any possible legal dispute.
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3.2 The Supplier shall take reasonable organizational measures so that:
Only people entitled to submit binding declarations of intent in the Supplier's name using
eDocs shall be granted authorized status for eDocs by the registered administrator in
question;
The user IDs and passwords created for eDocs are accessible only to those members of
staff granted authorized status for eDocs by the administrator;
Members of staff granted authorized status for eDocs undertake to observe confidentiality
in their treatment of user IDs and of the associated passwords and
not to disclose same to third parties;
User IDs known to members of staff leaving the service of the Supplier or to members of
staff, who, for other reasons, are to be denied access to eDocs, are
deactivated automatically and without undue delay.
Supplier is solely responsible for all acts or omissions of any person who accesses the eDocs
application or the Daimler Supplier Portal using an ID or password of any Supplier or other
User, including compliance with these Terms of Use. Supplier must therefore take measures to
maintain the confidentiality of those ID’s and passwords and enforce those measures with all
Users.
4. Ownership and Protection of MBV Confidential Information
4.1 Supplier and users will have access to a variety of confidential and proprietary
information about MBV’s business, including but not limited to the following types of
information:
Pricing, cost and other financial information, including but not limited to MBV’s
pricing for purchased parts or tools on purchase orders or engineering or manufacturing
change notices;
Engineering, Design and Manufacturing information, including processes, data,
transactions, current and future products and plans, volumes, capacity, transportation and
delivery schedules; and
Quality information, including MBV’s parts approval process, defect reports
and history; (collectively “MBV Confidential Information”).
4.2 As between Supplier and MBV, all MBV Confidential Information, and including any
and all data that MBV enters directly or indirectly into the eDocs application or the Daimler
Supplier Portal (“Data”) remains the property of MBV. MBV owns all right, title and interest,
including any and all copyrights, patents, trade secrets, trademarks, trade dress or any other
proprietary right in the MBV Confidential Information and Data and in any derivative or
improvement of any of it. If MBV requests, Supplier agrees to return to MBV, or destroy and
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give notice of destruction if requested, all copies of any MBV Confidential Information or Data
in any form that Supplier may possess.
4.3 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS: In connection with the activities of the Parties related to this
Agreement, Supplier is obliged to desist from all practices which may lead to penal liability due
to fraud or embezzlement, insolvency crimes, crimes in violation of competition, guaranteeing
advantages, bribery, acceptance of bribes or other corruption crimes on the part of persons
employed by the Supplier or other third parties. In the event of violation of the above, MBV has
the right to immediately withdraw from or terminate all legal transactions existing with Supplier
and the right to cancel all negotiations.
The above notwithstanding, Supplier is obliged to adhere to all laws and regulations applicable
to both itself and the commercial relationship with MBV.
Supplier shall adhere to the standards and requirements of Daimler regarding sustainability and
environmental protection as specified in the current version of Mercedes-Benz Special Terms 36.
5. Archiving and Retention Periods
The Parties agree to continue to assume responsibility themselves for compliance with those
statutory or other retention and archiving obligations relevant to commercial documentation.
eDocs documents may be printed out or downloaded for use as supporting evidence.
6. Time and Scope of Use
eDocs shall be used in business dealings between MBV and the Supplier once the Supplier's
administrator has enabled the eDocs users.
7. Data Protection; Disclaimer of Warranties
The personal information gathered in connection with the setting up of the eDocs application will
be used exclusively for user administration and to ensure that the application is run properly and
securely. This data will not be processed or used for any other purpose.
Disclaimer of Warranties
THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE EDOCS SUPPLIER PORTAL AND ALL CONTENT IS
PROVIDED TO YOU “AS IS”, WITHOUT ANY WARRANTIES OF ANY TYPE,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, TITLE, AND NON-
INFRINGEMENT. SUPPLIER AND ITS USERS USE THE EDOCS PORTAL, GLOBUS
AND THE INTERNET AND ALL CONTENT OF ANY TYPE ENTIRELY AT SUPPLIER’S
OWN RISK.
Without limiting the foregoing, MBV expressively disclaims responsibility as follows:
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a. Responsibility for Data Accuracy, Errors, Destruction or Delay – MBV is not responsible
for (i) the accuracy of, or for any errors in, any content of the eDocs application or the Daimler
Supplier Portal; (ii) any delay in the transmission of any content of the eDocs application or the
Daimler Supplier Portal; (iii) the destruction of any content of the sDocs application or the
Daimler Supplier Portal by anyone or any system, in each case, even if the error, delay or
destruction, as applicable, harms Supplier or otherwise affects Supplier’s ability to meet its
obligations to MBV or any third party.
b. Responsibility for Security of the eDocs application or the Daimler Supplier Portal or of
the Internet – MBV is not responsible for the security of, or for unauthorized access or use or
other security violations by anyone, in each case, for either eDocs application or the Daimler
Supplier Portal or the Internet, even if the security violation harms Supplier or otherwise affects
Supplier’s ability to meet its obligations to MBV or any third party.
c. Responsibility for Unavailability, Service Levels or Support of the eDocs application or
the Daimler Supplier Portal or the Internet – MBV is not responsible for the availability of, or
lack of availability of, or the speed or response time, or technical or other support in the event of
malfunctions, delays or outages, in each case, for either eDocs application or the Daimler
Supplier Portal or the Internet, even if the unavailability, speed or response time or lack of or
deficient support harms Supplier or otherwise affects Supplier’s ability to meet its obligations to
MBV or any third party.
d. Responsibility for the business results that Supplier or its Users obtain from use or the
inability to use the eDocs application or the Daimler Supplier Portal – MBV is not responsible
for the business results that Supplier or its Users obtain when they use, or when they are unable
to use, the eDocs application or the Daimler Supplier Portal.
8. Limitations of Liability
MBV WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES OF ANY TYPE, INCLUDING
DIRECT, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
INCLUDING LOST PROFITS OR REVENUES, ARISING OUT OF ERRORS, THE LOSS OR
DESTRUCTION OF DATA OR BUSINESS INERRUPTION, EVEN IF MBV HAD REASON
TO KNOW THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH DAMAGES AT THE TIME OF SUCH DAMAGES
AT THE TIME OF
CONTRACTING.
9. Term of the Agreement
This Agreement shall be valid for an indefinite period and shall enter into force when it is
signed by both Parties. Either Party shall be entitled to terminate it upon 30 days notice at any
time, except that Supplier is not relieved of its obligations under these Terms of Use so long as
any person with a Password or ID assigned to Supplier has access to the Daimler Supplier Portal,
including the time it may take MBV or Daimler AG to deactivate all Passwords and ID’s
assigned to Supplier.
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MBV may terminate Supplier’s or any or all of its Users’ access to Daimler Supplier Portal
immediately and without prior notice for any reason and in MBV’ sole discretion. In addition
and outside the control of MBV, Daimler AG may terminate Supplier’s or any or all of its Users’
access to the Daimler Supplier Portal, with or without notice and with or without cause and
MBV will have no responsibility or liability in connection with such termination.
10. Other Provisions
10.1 Written form shall be required for amendments and additions to this present eDocs Term
of Use Agreement. Ancillary agreements in verbal or electronic form shall be
invalid.
10.2 MBV reserves the right to modify these Terms of Use at any time. MBV will take
reasonable measures to notify Supplier of any such modifications and provide Supplier with the
opportunity to review such changes and accept or reject the new versions.
10.3 Should any provision of this present eDocs Terms of Use Agreement be or become
invalid, this fact shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions. However, the Parties
shall replace the invalid provision with a valid provision whose effect comes as close as possible
to the economic content of the original provision.
10.4 The present Agreement shall be governed by the law of the State of South Carolina;
application of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is
excluded.
10.5 Any breach of the confidentiality provisions of these Terms of Use will result in
irreparable harm to MBV. Supplier therefore agrees that MBV has the right to an injunction or
other equitable relief to enforce these Terms of Use and any provision herein, without prejudice
to any other rights and remedies that MBV may have.
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MERCEDES-BENZ VANS, LLC SUPPLIER
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Signature / Date Signature / Date
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Printed Name Printed Name
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Title Title
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Company Company
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Signature / Date Signature / Date
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Printed Name Printed Name
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Title Title
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Company Company
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ATTACHMENT 4
IMMIGRATION AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF _______________ )
COUNTY OF _____________ )
Before me, the undersigned Notary Public in and for said county and said state,
personally appeared (hereinafter called "Affiant"), an
authorized representative of ________________________[Company Name], a
[State and Form of Organization] (“Company”), who is known to me, and who
being first duly sworn by me, deposes and says as follows:
1. Affiant is of legal age and is a resident of .
2. Affiant, in his role as ______________________[Job Title] of the Company, has
personal knowledge of the matters set forth in this Affidavit.
3. Company is enrolled in the federal work authorization program administered by the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security known as the E-Verify program, as established by the
documentation attached hereto.
4. Company will not knowingly employ, hire for employment, or continue to employ any
unauthorized aliens.
5. Affiant has executed this Affidavit in Affiant's capacity as
______________________[Job Title] of Company.
COMPANY
By:
Name:
Title:
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this ____ day of ________, 20__
[Notary Seal]
Notary Public
My commission expires:
[SEE ATTACHED DOCUMENTATION ESTABLISHING THAT COMPANY IS ENROLLED IN
THE E-VERIFY PROGRAM]
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ATTACHMENT 5
BILL OF SALE
This bill of sale ("Bill of Sale"), dated ____________, ____ by and between ___________
("Supplier") and Mercedes-Benz Vans, LLC ("MBV").
KNOWN BY ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS:
That Supplier, for and in consideration of good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, has SOLD, GRANTED, BARGAINED,
CONVEYED, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED AND DELIVERED and by these presents hereby
SELLS, GRANTS, BARGAINS, CONVEYS, ASSIGNS, TRANSFERS AND DELIVERS to
MBV and its successors and assigns, all right, title and interest in and to all of the MBV Owned
Equipment as collectively identified in the Tool Tracking Sheet affixed hereto.
That Supplier does hereby WARRANT AND COVENANT that it is the sole and exclusive
owner of, and has good and marketable title to the MBV Owned Equipment being conveyed
pursuant to this Bill of Sale, free and clear of all liens, liabilities, security interests, leasehold
interests and encumbrances of any nature whatsoever.
This Bill of Sale shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their
successors and assigns. This Bill of Sale shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of South Carolina, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Supplier has caused this Bill of Sale to be executed on this ____ day
of ________, _____.
By: _______________________________________
Printed Name:_______________________________
Title:______________________________________
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ATTACHMENT 6
MBV Warranty Process
Table of Contents
1. Subject Matter of the Agreement
2. Processing of Warranty Claims (standard recourse)
3. Warranty Parts Testing (standard recourse)
4. MBV Financial Recovery Process
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MBV Warranty Process
1. Subject Matter of the Agreement
1.1 Scope
This MBV Warranty Process sets forth the warranty process and procedures of Mercedes-Benz
Vans, LLC (“MBV”) in the event that defective production material or defective spare parts are
discovered or identified after the vehicles leave the respective production plant or the spare parts
have been fitted or sold to customers.
1.2 Other Rights and Agreements Unaffected
The Master Terms Direct Purchasing (“MTDP”) and any purchase agreement(s), purchase
contract(s) and purchase order(s) in effect between the supplier and MBV (collectively with the
MTDP, the “Supply Agreement”) shall remain unaffected by this MBV Warranty Process.
Especially all claims under the MTDP including but not limited to recalls, series damages or
damages to other components shall remain unaffected by this MBV Warranty Process.
Additionally, other statutory or contractual rights of MBV shall remain unaffected by this MBV
Warranty Process.
1.3 Ascertaining Defects
Defects shall be ascertained by MBV. External organizations may be involved in the
determination of whether damaged parts qualify as defective. MBV affiliates may be involved in
the processing of quality defects.
1.4 Handling of Procedures for Standard Recourse
The settlement regulations for standard recovery described herein shall apply to defective
deliveries if these defects occur during the applicable warranty period.
2. Processing of Warranty Claims (standard recourse)
The settlement regulations for standard recourse apply to defective deliveries if these have not
led to a recall, series damage or damage to other components.
2.1 Warranty Claim Elements
The MBV warranty claim consists of five (5) basic cost elements described in the MTDP (labor,
dealer part price, parts handling, sublet and indirect costs) which when added together make up
the total expense incurred by MBV.
Warranty costs = labor + dealer part price + parts handling + sublet + indirect costs
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To simplify the chargeback procedure, average worldwide warranty costs are calculated on a part
number basis.
2.2 Calculation of Recovery Volume
The recovery volume is calculated by multiplying the acceptance rate (AR), as calculated in
accordance with Section 4.3, by the sum of warranty costs worldwide.
Recovery volume = AR x warranty costs of the supplier worldwide
2.3 Software-Related Failure
The costs of delivering defect-free software and the labor costs for updating software in the field
will be expensed to the supplier. An estimated labor cost will be calculated for all affected
vehicles and this will be used to invoice the supplier.
If improved software is not available in the market via standard MBV after sales tools, the
supplier will be responsible for the full cost of a claim where parts are exchanged to remedy
defective software failures/symptoms.
3. Warranty Parts Testing (standard recourse)
The Quality Engineering Center located at 13470 International Parkway (Unit 3), Jacksonville,
FL 32218 (the “QEC”) shall be responsible for coordinating warranty parts testing.
3.1 Part Families
All quality defect inspection, acceptance rates and the determination of supplier’s cost
contribution shall be based on part families. A part family is a set of part numbers representing
similar parts from one supplier for all MBV manufactured vehicles. If damaged parts with new
item numbers are presented during the year or new spare part numbers arise within the warranty
system, part families may be expanded or modified during the year.
The following parts shall be combined in one part family:
Production part number and service part number
Special (country) versions of a part, if there are no significant technical variations
New improved versions replacing an older version of a part
Parts that can be substituted interchangeably in a workshop repair
Parts across model series for similar and technically comparable components.
3.2 Parts Return Volume
In order to reduce the cost and time involved to process and analyze all returned parts, the
supplier will receive a random sample of parts from a reference market. The default reference
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market will be the U.S. market. These parts will be utilized to conduct defect inspection and
determine the supplier’s contribution rate.
All parts sent to the supplier by the QEC inspection stations and identified in the IT inspection
systems (e.g. QEC-Tool) as a “part relevant for acceptance rate” are taken into account in
establishing the acceptance rate. “Warranty goods” are all parts submitted to the supplier for
damaged part analysis originating from the reference market for which defects have arisen within
the agreed period of limitation for warranty claims. All parts not considered warranty goods are
“inspection goods.”
After the supplier has analyzed up to fifty (50) parts from one part family QEC can request to
establish an acceptance rate with the supplier for the related production range. Once the process
of establishing an acceptance rate has been started, QEC will stop sending further parts from this
production range. If a supplier dissents in writing and provides documentation supporting a
different acceptance rate, QEC may resume shipment of parts.
If requested by QEC, the supplier must analyze single parts from a production range and part
family with an established acceptance rate agreement. This is required to discover new damage
patterns and to detect potential long term failures. As this is not a random sample, it will not
impact established acceptance rate.
If NAFTA manufactured parts are failing in markets other than the U.S., QEC can independently
or upon the supplier’s request, facilitate collection of parts from Germany or other Mercedes-
Benz markets. If this type of part is requested by the supplier, all costs incurred will be expensed
to the supplier.
Parts not used for the inspection, technical analysis or remanufacture will be disposed
immediately.
At the instruction of QEC or on request by the supplier, inspection parts can be returned for
damaged part analysis and forwarded to the supplier for analysis.
3.3 Determination of Acceptance Rates (AR)
All AR’s are related to a specific part family and production range and apply to all worldwide
claims.
The AR is calculated from the number of defects accepted by the QEC from the random sample
in relation to the number of defects contained in the random sample. Parts not analyzed in the
given time period or rejected parts not returned to QEC on time are regarded as accepted for the
determination of the acceptance rate.
AR=
(amount of defects accepted) + (amount of rejected claims not analyzed in time) +
(amount of rejected claims not returned in time)
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Number of damaged parts analyzed
AR negotiations may not exceed thirty (30) calendar days without the prior written consent of
MBV or QEC. An acceptance rate will be imposed based on initial test results should the
supplier fail to submit a signed Acceptance Rate Form within this time period.
3.4 Parts Testing
(a) Procedures
All parts testing must comply with the Mercedes-Benz MBN10448 Field Failure
Analysis and VDA Marketing & Service Field Failure Analysis Standards. Suppliers
must confirm receipt of parts using the IT systems provided by MBV (e.g., QEC-Tool
and eSEP++) within two (2) working days of receiving the parts at the supplier’s
facility. The supplier must submit a VDA-compliant 8D report per defect profile
following acceptance.
(b) Execution
The supplier will have twenty-eight (28) calendar days from the receipt of parts in the
QEC-Tool to perform testing and complete the Inspection Report. However,
notwithstanding the foregoing, during new model launch and for breakdown parts,
immobility cases and parts labeled “S” in the component drawing, the supplier will
have only ten (10) calendar days to perform testing and complete the inspection
report. The supplier should identify these parts accordingly in its inspection report.
In all cases, the supplier must indicate in the QEC-Tool whether the part has been
accepted or rejected. If the inspection result is not entered in the QEC-Tool within
twenty-eight (28) calendar days, or ten (10) calendar days for launch, breakdown and
other parts specified above, the parts on the inspection report will be considered as
accepted defects. The inspection period may be extended by mutual agreement of the
parties; however, an extension must be authorized in writing by QEC before the
applicable inspection period has been exceeded.
(c) Rejected Parts
Rejected parts remain the property of MBV. The supplier must return rejected parts
to QEC within seven (7) calendar days from supplier’s notification of rejection, in the
original condition. If the supplier fails to meet these conditions, the parts will be
regarded as accepted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, QEC and the supplier may
agree that parts rejected by the supplier will be held in quarantine storage for up to ten
(10) weeks and then scrapped and disposed of properly. A non-authorized use of the
parts is not permitted.
(d) Accepted Parts
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The supplier has no duty to return or store parts that are accepted by the supplier.
3.5 Audits
QEC can audit the supplier’s compliance, test procedures, and execution of the MBN10448
Field Failure Analysis/VDA Marketing & Service Field Failure Analysis Standards at any
time. If out of standard conditions are observed during the audit, the AR for all related part
families will be adjusted as outlined below:
Degree of performance Increase of acceptance rate
100% - 85% none
84% - 80%+ 3 percentage points
79%-70% + 10 percentage points
<70% 100% acceptance rate will apply
The AR will be increased and applied to all new AR’s, all related parts tested before the audit
and all parts tested until the analysis procedures and execution are within standard. This
determination will be made by conducting a secondary (follow-up) audit.
3.6 Test Equipment & Freight Costs
The supplier and MBV shall each bear their own costs associated with the inspection, including
the costs of returning and making available the parts.
The freight costs associated with returning warranty parts from U.S. Dealers to the supplier’s
NAFTA Test facilities will be paid by MBV.
Should a supplier request sample parts from markets outside of the U.S., the freight costs
associated with procuring the parts will be expensed to the supplier.
If the supplier demands additional returns of parts other than the sample, the supplier shall bear
the transportation and logistics costs incurred.
All parts not accepted by the suppliers must be returned to the QEC at the supplier’s expense.
3.7 Product and Process Changes and Production Relocations
In the event of product changes, process changes or production relocations that were not
approved by MBV, the acceptance rate shall be deemed to be 100%, unless the supplier proves
that there is no causal connection with the occurrence of the defect. This provision shall apply to
parts procured by the supplier from sub-suppliers in the case of assemblies or multi-part
deliveries.
3.8 No Trouble Found (“NTF”) Process
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If no defects or reasons for breakdown are found after performing the damaged part analysis,
QEC and the supplier agree to perform an NTF process pursuant to VDA volume standard
“Damaged Part Analysis Field” and “MBN10448.”
The NTF process serves to find the cause of a problem not identified in a damaged part analysis.
By arrangement with the supplier, this procedure shall apply if it has not been possible to explain
a customer complaint with a damaged part analysis by the supplier.
3.9 Claims Despite Acceptance
Neither MBV’s use and/or approval of submitted samples, nor supplier’s compliance with test
provisions shall affect MBV claims. MBV claims also shall remain unaffected if the defective
goods or defective parts are manufactured or supplied by a sub-supplier.
4. MBV Financial Recovery Process
Financial recovery is fundamentally based on the information contained in the Supplier Recovery
System (“SRS”). In the SRS system the claim costs are noted in EUR and in the invoice itself in
EUR and U.S. dollars. The calculation of the U.S. dollar amount is based on the daily exchange
rate when the invoice was created. The debiting of the invoice amount is done in U.S. dollars.
QEC will send a debit note to inform the supplier of impending charge-backs. The supplier will
have fourteen (14) calendar days to dispute the charge. If a formal dispute is not received within
fourteen (14) days, the amount will be debited on the supplier account.
Charge-back notifications/statements will only be sent to Tier 1 suppliers unless otherwise
arranged with QEC.
The supplier will be notified of any changes that have a financial impact before they are
implemented.